Lakehead Students are Raising Awareness about Human Trafficking

"As more of young people's lives move into the virtual world, online platforms and apps are increasingly being used to contact, groom, manipulate, and exploit young people," says Lakehead student Taylor Munro.

Taylor and fellow social work students Steven Kearney, Shanta Paudel Khatiwada, Kris Carlson, and Tessa Pasqualino recently investigated this growing problem.

"Social media is now both a place of connection and a place of exploitation," says Taylor Munro (pictured left). She and her fellow students' human trafficking project gave them the opportunity to engage with a complex and urgent social issue early in their academic and professional development.

As part of an undergraduate social work theory course taught by professor Abigale Sprakes, they studied the impact of human trafficking in Thunder Bay and northwestern Ontario.

Their research focused on the online exploitation of young people aged 12–18.

As part of this important work, they developed a social media campaign to raise public awareness about human trafficking.

Social work students Taylor Munro and (left to right) Steven Kearney, Kris Carlson, Tessa Pasqualino, and Shanta Paudel Khatiwada hosted an information table about human trafficking at Thunder Bay's Intercity Mall in February 2026. They say that "one of the most important takeaways from our research is the need to shift how we understand vulnerability."

These efforts were bolstered by a letter-writing campaign aimed at key stakeholders and decision-makers with the power to take action against trafficking.

The students also participated in a community awareness event organized by the Thunder Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking at the Intercity Shopping Centre in February 2026.

Human Trafficking in Northwestern Ontario

The core mechanics of trafficking—recruitment, control, and exploitation—are consistent across Canada, but regional context shapes how it occurs.

In northwestern Ontario, domestic sex trafficking that targets women and youth is the most prevalent form of trafficking.

"It doesn't usually look like what you see in the movies," explains Shanta Paudel Khatiwada.

"Trafficking is less about abduction by strangers, which does happen, and more about abusive relationships, manipulation, and victims being moved between communities."

Trafficking is subtle and embedded in everyday environments, particularly online.

The Rise of a Dangerous Threat

Social media has become a gateway for the trafficking and exploitation of children and youth on an unprecedented scale.

This is particularly the case in northwestern Ontario. The region's geographic isolation and limited access to services and social supports make it more likely that youth will seek connection online.

Approximately 91% of Canadians aged 15–24 report using some sort of social networking platform, making them vulnerable to online predators. This means that young people's access to technology must be balanced with meaningful safeguards and awareness.

Traffickers then deploy a range of online tactics, including grooming through fake identities and sextortion (using images for blackmail).

Luring victims by pretending that they're interested in a romantic relationship, known as the "boyfriend model," is another popular strategy.

"Because of this, many young people do not initially identify as 'victims,'" Steven Kearney says. "But what may appear as a 'choice' is frequently survival within highly controlled circumstances."

Online platform features such as anonymous accounts, disappearing messages, livestreaming, and algorithm-driven connections make it easier to contact, manipulate, and isolate youth—often in a frighteningly short space of time.

The students' research showed that Snapchat is one of the most commonly used social media platforms for trafficking and exploitation.

Who is at risk?

Traffickers are highly skilled at identifying the unmet needs of young people and positioning themselves as the solution.

"They look for signals, both online and offline, such as loneliness, conflict at home, financial stress, or a desire for belonging," Kris Carlson says.

They then set about exploiting these normal human needs."

The social work students discovered that escaping trafficking is not a single moment but a process. Recovery may involve housing, healthcare, counselling, legal advocacy, and community connection. Photo Credit: Pexels/cottonbro studio

There are also social factors and systemic inequities, such as colonialism, racism, and homophobia, which can increase a young person's vulnerability.

For instance, youth who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPOC, and those who've had adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), may be at higher risk because they're part of marginalized groups with less access to support.

We All Have a Role to Play

Human trafficking is a crime that affects every aspect of a person's life, including physically, psychologically, relationally, and neurologically.

The research students developed infographics, including this one, that they shared with the Thunder Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking for their use. Some of the students also posted the infographics to their personal social media platforms to further public awareness.

So how can parents protect their children?

"When children feel safe, seen, and supported, they are more likely to recognize risk before a situation escalates," Tessa Pasqualino says.

"Open, non-judgmental conversations about online spaces, relationships, and safety are essential."

The most effective protection is not to control a young person's world, but to prepare them to navigate it safely.

Likewise, schools and social service providers can play a critical role in prevention and early intervention. Developing strong legislation and protections to keep pace with the constantly evolving world of the internet is equally important.

"We want people to remember that young people are not 'seeking attention' when they're online," the student researchers add.

"They are seeking connection, belonging, and safety. When those needs are unmet, they can be exploited."

Parents, educators, and community members can click here to learn more about tools and resources to prevent human trafficking.

If you, or someone you know, may be a victim of trafficking, call the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010.

SSHRC Storyteller Sydney Ambury Advocates for Care and Compassion

The opioid epidemic is taking a toll on families and communities across the country.

In northern Ontario alone, 324 people died from opioids in 2024.

“Being able to showcase my SSRHC-funded research is huge,” says Sydney, who just successfully defended her master’s thesis. “It’s important to show how we transform grant money into research.”

"Watching this crisis unfold and seeing how people who use drugs are treated as less deserving of care sparked my research," says Master of Social Work student Sydney Ambury.

In 2024, she became a research assistant on a project funded by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Institutional Grant and led by Lakehead social work professor Abigale Sprakes.

The research—done in partnership with Thunder Bay's Safer Supply Program (SSP)—documented the impact of accessing opioid alternatives.

Safer Supply prescribed alternative drugs to people with opioid-use disorders, allowing them to avoid the unregulated toxic drug supply.

A key component of Sydney's research involved inviting Safer Supply clients to share their experiences in short videos they created together.

"The digital stories are an important piece of advocacy calling for evidence-based and compassionate systems of care," Sydney says. "We need to remind community members that the lives of people who use drugs matter."

"We wanted these digital stories to spotlight the real human beings who relied on the program and to show how the program changed their lives," she says.

This powerful research project led SSHRC to select Sydney as one of 20 national finalists in the 2026 SSHRC Storytellers Challenge.

"It was very exciting to learn I was a finalist," Sydney says. "SSHRC's research funding has allowed the voices of people who are often dismissed to be heard."

A Life-Changing and Life-Saving Program

Thunder Bay's Safer Supply Program had an impressive track record.

It was responsible for a 92% reduction in drug poisonings for participants enrolled in the SSP and a significant decrease in their Fentanyl use, one of the deadliest drugs contributing to the opioid crisis.

"Not a single program participant died the entire time that Safer Supply was running," Sydney reports.

Safer Supply increased clients' connection to family, friends, and the larger community. The program's wraparound services also had a huge positive impact. Safer Supply's support led to an 86% increase in housing for its clients and reduced the amount of time they spent in hospital emergency rooms by 50%.

Many other participants reduced their drug use or stopped using drugs entirely.

But SSP's impact went far beyond reducing the harms of drug use.

"The staff did a great job of being welcoming and inclusive," Sydney says. "Safer Supply provided meals if clients were hungry, a place to nap, and connected them with health and social services, including housing."

Vulnerable People are Falling through the Cracks

"I am healthier, happier, and loved because of Safer Supply," says Peanut, one of the digital storytellers.

"Before Safer Supply, I wanted to die," adds Solo. "Safer Supply helped me want to live."

Unfortunately, the federal government stopped funding Safer Supply Programs in March 2025—putting the people who relied on them in jeopardy.

Thunder Bay's Safer Supply Program was shut down while Sydney was conducting her research in 2025. "I saw how cared for and valued Safer Supply participants felt, and their grief and fear when they learned that the program was closing," she says.

"Provincially, there's been a shift to an abstinence model when it comes to treating drug use," Sydney says.

"It ties into the misguided idea of expecting people to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, without taking into account all the factors affecting them."

As an undergraduate student, Sydney conducted opioid research with Lakehead social work professor Abigale Sprakes. "I was part of the Thunder Bay Safer Supply program evaluation team. During the evaluation, some of Safer Supply's clients and staff said they wished they could show people what was happening at Safer Supply.

While there's no typical substance user, clients of SSP were more likely to be struggling with challenges like homelessness and food insecurity.

Now, their primary treatment option is the new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs.

"These hubs focus entirely on abstinence and offer no harm-reduction services," Sydney says.

"But we need both approaches to provide the full scope of care required, rather than trying to force people who use drugs into societal beliefs about what they 'should' want."

She believes that the decrease in harm-reduction approaches makes it even more crucial to share the stories of Safer Supply clients with educators, healthcare providers, and policymakers.

As Sydney says in the closing of her SSHRC finalist video:

"These stories advocate for compassion. They are people asking to be heard. Are you listening?"

SSHRC's Storytellers Challenge asks postsecondary students to show Canadians how social sciences and humanities research is impacting our lives, our world, and our future for the better. In June 2026, Sydney, and 20 other national SSHRC Storytelling finalists, will present their research at the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada conference in Montreal. Based on their presentations, five winners will be chosen.

A $2-million gift from the Joyce Family Foundation will help more students access a Lakehead University education, removing financial barriers and opening doors to opportunity.

The gift will establish The Joyce Family Foundation Bursary, an endowed fund that will provide three bursaries of $22,000 ($5,500 payable per year for four years) per year and directly benefit students who face financial challenges. The first bursaries will be given out in September 2026. 

"The Joyce Family Foundation Bursary is a door-opening opportunity that removes the financial barriers standing between students and their ambitions,” said Lakehead President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Gillian Siddall. “As an access institution, we are thrilled that each year three Lakehead students will have the support of this bursary so they can focus on their studies and achieve their goals rather than worry about financial stress." 

On average, 95 per cent of Lakehead’s domestic student population faces barriers to attending university, such as financial need or being the first generation in a family to pursue post-secondary education. Support from donors helps bridge the gap between provincial student grants and loans and the financial needs of students.

Today’s investment builds on a decade-long relationship between Lakehead University and The Joyce Family Foundation, grounded in a shared commitment to improving access to postsecondary education and supporting student success.

“The Joyce Family Foundation is honoured to continue Ron Joyce’s legacy of investing in young people,” said Rob MacIsaac, Chair of the Foundation. “This bursary program at Lakehead University affirms our shared belief that every student deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to their community.” 

Anchored by this transformative leadership gift, Lakehead is kicking off a fundraising initiative to raise $10 million for scholarships, bursaries, and awards over the next five years. With more than $2.6 million already raised, President Siddall explained that the campaign will not only ease financial burden, but it will unlock potential.

“When we invest in students, we strengthen not only their future, but the future of our communities,” she said.

Lakehead University continues to be recognized as a leader in student support and undergraduate education. Among Ontario universities in the primarily undergraduate category, Lakehead ranked first in student awards, second in scholarships and bursaries, and held its position as Ontario’s top primarily undergraduate university, according to the 2026 Maclean’s University Rankings.

Investments like this help ensure that more students, regardless of financial circumstance, have the opportunity to pursue higher education and reach their full potential. Financial aid also plays a critical role in attracting talent, supporting Indigenous participation, and strengthening communities across Northern Ontario and beyond.