Since the establishment of a special unit against pimping two years ago, at least three victims per week have managed to report their tormentors, the authorities are pleased.
• Also read: Behind the scenes of a customer hunt
“When we reach out to someone who is destroyed and [que la personne] Grab it, it's the best gift. “It's about showing the victims that they can get through this, that we exist and that we work so hard,” says the head of the Integrated Anti-Pimping Squad (EILP), Karine Lacroix.
As captain of the Sûreté du Québec, she leads a team of around a hundred people, including 35 investigators, who dedicate themselves daily to eliminating sexual exploitation.
Since the force's inception in October 2021, it has experienced more than 575 casualties. Of these, 30% were minors.
Certainly a worrying statistic, but one that does not reflect the extent of the sexual exploitation of adolescent girls.
“Many will come forward as adults, but we know very well that they probably started as minors,” explained Captain Lacroix.
Karine Lacroix, captain and head of the Integrated Anti-Pimping Force in the Sûreté du Québec. Photo agency QMI, JOEL LEMAY
The victim comes first
But not all victims agree to report their abuser (or abusers).
In 112 of the files opened, the police did not pursue the investigation any further.
“If the person is not ready to move forward, we respect their decision. “The victim comes first,” said Officer Lacroix.
Despite everything, the victim is not left to his own devices: he receives support and is given guidance if, for example, he needs help with food, accommodation or obtaining a new identity card.
And sometimes it's only a few months or even years later that she decides to bring her pimp to safety.
“Unfortunately, they have often experienced violence in the meantime,” complains Karine Lacroix.
But in addition to helping the victims, the police also do not skimp on attacks on pimps.
In just over two years, the EILP handcuffed 173 people accused of forcing girls to provide sexual services across Quebec.
What is EILP?
Created in autumn 2021 on the recommendation of the Special Commission on the Sexual Exploitation of Minors. Fight against pimping, human trafficking for sexual exploitation and youth prostitution at regional and international levels. The target group is both pimps and customer abusers. Unified examination structure that combines the following:
- The City of Montreal Police Department;
- The Quebec City Police Department;
- The Laval Police Department;
- The City of Gatineau Police Department;
- The police department of the Longueuil agglomeration;
- The Royal Canadian Mounted Police;
And the abusive customers…
“Their goal is simple: to make quick money. And many don't even have any remorse. Some maintain control over their victim even in prison, managing to continue the exploitation, contacting her or her relatives to ensure that she does not appear in court,” laments Karine Lacroix.
And the police aren't just targeting pimps. They also attack “customer abusers” who are willing to spend their money to have sex with a teenage girl.
The advertisements trying to catch them always clearly stated that the person offering the sexual services was underage. In such cases, the announcement may be reported to site managers, but this rarely happens.
“An ad can be seen by 1,000 people a day without it being reported,” laments Captain Lacroix.
The squads will also target clients who abuse adult victims.
“In Quebec, for example, we have about twenty cases of sex workers denouncing situations in which problematic clients threaten, harass and overstep their boundaries,” she explained.
Victims of all classes
“It is not true that the victims of pimps are all girls from youth centers. “They are children of doctors, journalists, judges and police officers,” emphasized Captain Karine Lacroix, adding that her team receives many calls for help from poor parents. “They see their child dropping out of school and falling in love with the wrong person. They ask themselves, “What do we do?” she says. She emphasizes that even if the victim is not willing to report the crime, the police have other techniques to confirm the observations of parents or other witnesses.
Combating “customer abusers”
Within two years, the EILP arrested approximately 40 men, ages 21 to 67, for attempting to purchase the body of a teenage girl. “It fascinates me that even in 2023 some people believe that purchasing sexual services is legal,” complains Captain Lacroix. The Supreme Court also ruled last year that it is legitimate for police officers to publish false advertisements to trap customers online who are specifically looking for sexual relationships with minors.
Despite this verdict, a Saguenéan man, Yvan Truchon, who screamed after being provoked by police, was recently released by a judge. It is therefore clear that the man was never forced to commit the crime.
Education from elementary school
Young people enter the world of prostitution from the age of 13, remembers police officer Lacroix. Awareness-raising tools for young people in the fifth and sixth year of primary school are being prepared. She insists parents also need to be vigilant as social media recruitment has exploded since the pandemic. Applications such as Instagram and TikTok remain very popular among pimps.
More survivors to the rescue
As we have learned, the team of survivors, former victims of sexual exploitation who are helping the police thanks to their experience, will be expanded in 2024. A team will soon be set up in the Quebec region. The survivors chosen by the police had already been victims of a pimp, had to go through a court process to have him convicted and have since fled.
In addition to supporting their relatives, they may be asked to support people who are being sexually exploited or are affected by sexual exploitation. EILP hopes to include men, transgender people and others from Indigenous communities on the team.
What is EILP:
- Specialized squad founded in autumn 2021
- Established on the recommendation of the Special Commission on the Exploitation of Minors
- Committed to the fight against pimping, human trafficking for sexual exploitation and youth prostitution at regional and international levels
- The target group is both pimps and customer abusers
- This investigative structure brings together the police services of Montreal, Quebec, Laval, Gatineau, Longueuil, as well as the RCMP and the SQ.
Can you share information about this story?
Write to us or call us directly at 1 800-63SCOOP.