New mobile program helps London Abused Women’s Centre support victims of trafficking

The London Abused Women’s Centre has received a grant for a new mobile program to support victims of human trafficking.

A grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation is helping the London Abused Women’s Centre (LAWC) provide mobile support to victims of human trafficking.

“When we think of human trafficking it is hard to think of anything that is more vile or more insidious,” said London North Centre MPP Terence Kernaghan.

He was on hand as the centre announced its new Mobile Residential Support Program.

The program was funded with a grant of $192,900 in 2024 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to help LAWC develop the program, and a further grant of $95,300 to administer the program for one year.

A project coordinator and outreach worker will travel to women’s shelters Anova in London, and DASO in Woodstock to counsel victims of human trafficking, says LAWC Executive Director Jennifer Dunn.

“The nuances around trafficking are so complex,” said Dunn.

“Not to suggest that intimate partner violence is any different or less than trafficking. But, for example, the amount of trust it takes for a woman to open up about what she’s been subjected to, it’s a lot different. And so, we need programs that are designed specific to support women who have been trafficked,” she explained.

LAWC says the program utilizes four core areas of support (mobile outreach and support, stabilization and safety planning, advocacy and system navigation, and transitioning and ongoing support), and provides a focus on safety, healing, and continuity of care.