Advocacy to Improve the Systems that Impact Survivors

VST acts and speaks out to change the systemic practices preventing crime survivors from moving forward.

As the leading voice for survivors of crime or sudden tragedy, we provide a platform for survivors to share their experiences and perspectives, which we leverage to influence governments and industry leaders.

Programs

Acquired by VST in 2022, Reclaim supports Canadian survivors of human trafficking by removing coercive debt from their names and records.

We’ve rebuilt Reclaim from the ground up to streamline processes for working with creditors and clients.

Our partnerships with the Canadian Bankers Association, Equifax, creditors, and political leaders mean coercive debt is less of a burden for those exiting human trafficking.

Our client-centred process ensures victims of human trafficking aren’t re-victimized by continually retelling their stories to strangers.

VST listens to survivors and uses our influence with governments to change policies that impact their lives. 

In 2023/24, we generated widespread political and public support for Bill 41, Ontario’s Protection from Coerced Debts Incurred in Relation to Human Trafficking Act.

The Bill, which passed unanimously, now compels financial institutions and collection agencies to forgive coerced debts accrued by victims of human trafficking and erase these debts from survivors’ credit reports.

Also in 2023/24, VST made recommendations to the Standing Committee on Social Policy for proposed Bill 188, The Supporting Children’s Futures Act.

If passed, the Act will help safeguard vulnerable young people in Foster Care from exploitation.