Woman charged in Langley human trafficking investigation

Mounties in Langley say charges have been laid in connection with a human trafficking investigation involving people under the age of 18, launched earlier this year.

The RCMP began looking into allegations in the spring. Officers say they received a 911 call in March from a Township of Langley gas station on 88 Avenue near 200 Street reporting that “an injured, distressed” woman walked in and asked for help.

When Mounties arrived, they say they were providing first aid when they were directed to a nearby hotel. This, police say, led to an assault charge being filed against Jennifer Lynn Stephens.

The RCMP says Stephens was supposed to appear in court on these charges in July. However, investigators say she never showed up, prompting a Canada-wide warrant for the woman.

The suspect was found and arrested on Dec. 7.

After additional investigation involving the support of other Lower Mainland policing agencies, the Langley RCMP says Stephens, who remains in custody, is now facing 14 charges.

They include, but are not limited to, trafficking of a person under 18, material benefit of trafficking a person under 18, material benefit from sexual services of a person under 18, forcible confinement, uttering threats, and advertising sexual services.

The RCMP says the charges are related to multiple victims — although they wouldn’t say how many — and that victims were trafficked for sexual exploitation.

“Due to the often-hidden nature and complexity of these offences, human trafficking charges are rare in Canada,” said Insp. Erica Moir, Operations Support Officer of Langley RCMP.

“If you or a loved one are a victim of human trafficking, or you believe someone else is, please know you are not alone and there is help available.”

Expert says sexual exploitation cases not uncommon

Angela Marie MacDougall, executive director at Battered Women’s Support Services, says sexual exploitation isn’t rare in Canada.

“It happens all over Canada and in many communities, including communities where you might not think sexual exploitation could be occurring,” she said.

MacDougall adds situations like these can be complicated, since people are often drawn into the exchange of sex for money and may be in search of some income.

Now that charges have been laid in this particular case, MacDougall says she hopes the victims involved are receiving the support they need.

“The bigger picture of that long-term safety and support for for the exploited person sometimes can get missed,” she said. “I’m hoping they have the benefit of a community-based support team that’s outside of the of the police and the legal system to ensure those longer term concerns are addressed.”

She adds people don’t just “fall into extortion.” They often have something else in their life, like substance use, violence at home, or unsafe living environments, that make them vulnerable to being exploited, MacDougall says.

In order to raise awareness around sexual exploitation, MacDougall says people need to understand that it could be happening anywhere, including their own community.

“It happens all across Canada, whether it’s in sleepy towns, family neighborhoods or large urban settings,” she said. “And breaking through that stereotype is really important, so that we can understand how much of an epidemic violence against women and gender-based violence, including sexual exploitation, is.”

Support is available 24-hours a day through the Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010, as well as through The Canadian Centre To End Human Trafficking and your local police department.

-With files from Maria Vinca