Dozens of men are facing charges related to buying sexual services. The 35 men were arrested through a series of enforcement operations carried out over nine months, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) said in a media release on Friday. ALERT said investigators also work to support victims who may be vulnerable to exploitation. “Many people are unaware that paying for sexual services is illegal in Canada,” said ALERT Staff Sgt. Travis Kerr. “These arrests demonstrate our commitment to enforcing the law, but they also highlight the need for greater public education. “Demand is a driving force behind human trafficking and sexual exploitation. By educating the public and holding offenders accountable, we can better protect vulnerable people from victimization.” Human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing organized crimes in Canada, and women and girls are disproportionately impacted, ALERT said. Anyone with information about suspected human trafficking or sexual exploitation is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
