Niagara Police Report Sharp Increase in Identification of Human Trafficking Victims and Charges

NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario — The Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) has reported a significant surge in the number of identified human trafficking victims and criminal charges throughout 2024, a rise officials attribute to intensified investigative efforts and increased community reporting. During a recent informational session, the NRPS Human Trafficking Unit revealed that investigators identified 48 victims in 2024, representing a 700 percent increase from the six victims identified the previous year.

Data released by the NRPS indicates that of the victims identified across 2024 and 2025, 19 were minors under the age of 18. Police officials noted that the sharp rise in figures correlates with a strategic push to raise awareness within the community and strengthen partnerships with support organizations. Stephanie Sabourin, NRPS corporate communications manager, stated that the increase reflects “increased support and referrals” alongside proactive policing.

The intensified focus on trafficking operations also resulted in a marked rise in enforcement actions. In 2024, the unit charged 29 individuals with human trafficking offenses, a 190 percent increase compared to 2023. The unit handled a total of 159 investigations during the year, the highest volume recorded in the last three years. Detective Kendra Lawrie emphasized during the session that while many residents assume trafficking is absent from the region, the activity is prevalent.

According to Statistics Canada, the Niagara region’s rate of police-reported human trafficking incidents in 2023 was more than double the national average, standing at three incidents per 100,000 population. Nyarayi Kapisavanhu, executive director of the advocacy group TOES Niagara, pointed to the region’s tourism economy and proximity to the Highway 401 corridor as factors that make the area accessible for traffickers.

Investigators described common recruitment tactics, including the use of “Romeo pimps” who lure victims—often online—by posing as potential romantic partners. These traffickers utilize gifts and attention to groom victims before coercing them into debt bondage and sexual services. The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking notes that psychological control and manipulation are more common tools of coercion than physical confinement.

Robyn Bourgeois, an associate professor at Brock University and a survivor of trafficking, told CBC News that despite the rising numbers, the data likely only “scratches the surface” of the issue, as many survivors do not come forward. NRPS Detective Sergeant Tara Ryan affirmed that the police service has adopted a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach to build trust with survivors, prioritizing their safety and recovery over immediate court processes.

Investigative Outlook

The dramatic statistical spike reported by Niagara police highlights a paradox often seen in vice policing: higher numbers often indicate improved detection and resource allocation rather than solely an increase in criminal activity. By shifting toward a victim-centered methodology, law enforcement agencies aim to encourage reporting from survivors who have historically distrusted police interventions. However, the proximity of the Niagara region to major transportation corridors suggests that inter-agency cooperation will remain critical for dismantling trafficking networks that operate across jurisdictional lines. As these 29 criminal cases move to the judicial phase, it is important to note that all individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.