Raids on Vancouver massage parlours

[xcake_eater123]

Canadian
Parlour
Supt. Bill Ard talks about the arrests.

Supt. Bill Ard talks about the arrests.
108 arrested in B.C. massage parlour raids

Updated Fri. Dec. 8 2006 10:07 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Police have carried out a series of raids on 18 Vancouver-area massage parlours, making 108 arrests.

According to the RCMP, police targeted parlours suspected of having connections to the sex trade, organized crime and human trafficking operations.

But no charges have been laid and most of the parlour workers appear to be Canadian citizens, according to CTV Vancouver's Lisa Rossington. A police investigation is currently underway.

Despite the lack of charges, police held a press conference in Surrey to describe the motives behind the raids.

"As both Canadians and law enforcement personnel, we are very concerned about people being deceived or coerced into coming to Canada, with the hope of a better life, only to be held in virtual slavery," said RCMP Superintendent Bill Ard.

He added: "It is situations such as these, where there are suspicions of people being victimized, that clearly demonstrate the importance of the RCMP and outside agencies working together, to help protect those who are vulnerable and who do not have an opportunity to help themselves.

The raids were carried out late Thursday and involved police from Surrey, Coquitlam, Burnaby and Richmond. One of the parlours was located in Vancouver.

Twenty-six of those arrested were clients at the parlours, while human trafficking investigators interviewed another 78 women -- many of them described as being Asian or South Asian.

"Of those 78 women, 52 agreed to seek immediate assistance from the provincial victims centre response team," said Ard.

However, Rossington later reported that none of the women have since asked for help. And because none have said they were exploited, it's unclear how police will proceed in their investigation.

According to Rob Johnston of the Canada Border Services Agency, officials do not deport victims of human trafficking from the country.

"Under the new guidelines and laws these victims can be issued temporary residence permits by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and if in our work we do locate victims we are in immediate contact with the RCMP and with Citizenship and Immigration Canada," said Johnston.

He added that the agency has officers working overseas to prevent victims from being sent to Canada, while "at our ports of entry our officers are trained to try to identify victims."

Victims of human trafficking are also provided with temporary health coverage until they are considered eligible for provincial health coverage.

Other available services can include housing, health care, emergency income, trauma counseling and legal assistance, according to Susanne Dahlin of the B.C. Public Safety Ministry.

"Victimization removes any control that a person has to make decisions for themselves,'' she told the press conference.

"In cases of human trafficking many of these victims will have no knowledge about what the laws of this country are or their options for support."

Robin Pike of the Ministry of Children and Family Development said none of the parlour workers appears to be underage.

With a report by CTV Vancouver's Lisa Rossington and files from The Canadian Press


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[HeavyNinja92]

Lisa Rossington is a MILF and is known in Vancouver media circles as a player.


With a report by CTV Vancouver's Lisa Rossington and files from The Canadian Press