Postmedia News Jun 11, 2012 – 9:19 PM ET | Last Updated: Jun 11, 2012 9:21 PM ET
Ottawa — Two 15-year-old girls in Ottawa have been arrested for human trafficking.
“It’s shocking, quite frankly,” said police spokesman Staff Sgt. John McGetrick. “We asked the RCMP, who take the lead on human trafficking, and they didn’t know of any similar case in Canada.”
In a written statement, Ottawa police said they found three female victims from 13 to 17 years of age, who had been taken, on three separate occasions, to a residence in the 2400 block of Walkley Road. The victims were then driven to other locations and forced into prostitution, police allege.
Police said there was no indication pimps or men played any role.
“We’re not aware of anyone else involved,” Staff Sgt. McGetrick said.
The accused girls were arrested on June 8 and June 9 and are now in custody. The charges against them include human trafficking, robbery, procuring, forcible confinement, sexual assault, assault, uttering threats and abduction.
One of the accused is also charged with administering a noxious substance.
Police are still looking for a third suspect who is believed to be a 17-year-old girl.
Although the names of the accused cannot be released in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act, Mr. McGetrick said the department may apply to release more information in the future.
“The actions that lead to the offence are the same whether you’re 12 or 60,” Staff Sgt. McGetrick.
“It’s still an offence, and they still need to be held accountable.”
Acting Sgt. Jean-Francois Morin described Walkley Road as a “very long street” with a mixture of residences and businesses. The “average city neighbourhood” has mostly middle-class families with working people and the street sees a lot of vehicle traffic, said Sgt. Morin.
Staff Sgt. McGetrick said he is not aware of any other victims, but is urging any potential victims to come forward.
“We don’t know about any further incidents,” he said. “But if there are, we want women out there to know that they can some see us and we’ll work with them and help them out. We’d love to help them.”
