A new online ad campaign is helping connect sex trafficked and exploited women to the London Abused Women's Centre.
Launched ten days ago, the ads on Facebook and Google target women aged 18-25 who may be victims or at risk of becoming victims of sex trafficking. A second set of ads is directed at men aged 18-65 and sends the message to those interested in buying sex that their actions are illegal.
The new public awareness campaign was unveiled Friday at the London Abused Women's Centre (LAWC).
The agency's executive director, Megan Walker, noted it is "absolutely vital" these ads reach women when they are ready to seek ways out of prostitution and sex trafficking.
"We want them to see the ad, we want them to know that there is help and there is hope. They are not alone. We are here to help," said Walker.
So far the ads targeted to trafficked, prostituted or at risk women have been clicked 223 times and have led three women to reach out to LAWC for support. The ads targeting sex buyers have been clicked 2,148 times with five men downloading a PDF fact sheet about Canada's prostitution laws.
"The campaign has exceeded all expectations of number of impressions, number of clicks, number of downloads, and number of women who have reached out for services and we are only ten days into a four-month campaign," said Walker. "This is overwhelmingly positive and we believe we are reaching both of our target groups and making a difference."
LAWC Facebook ad aimed at men.
The ads were designed by London-based digital marketing company tbk Creative, using funding LAWC received last December from Youth Opportunities Unlimited and the Salvation Army Correctional and Justice Services.
"In speaking with one of the staff members at LAWC, she explained to me that normally there are 3,000 women who seek support from the organization every year but that number rose to 6,000 last year. Personally, that was a big surprise to me that right here in the London region there really is that much of a need," said tbk Creative President Andrew Schiestel.
The Google ads pop up when a woman searches such keywords as "bad relationship", "abusive relationship", "sugar baby or sugar daddy websites." The ads directed toward men display when terms like "seeking arrangements', "seeking prostitution", and "backpage alternatives" are keyed in.
London has been identified in the past as a hotbed of activity for sex trafficking, given its proximity to the 401and number of hotels and motels.
"This is not a quick fix, we do not have a magic wand and what we know is we may be providing services to these women and girls for three or more years. They may be back into prostitution or trafficking and then exiting again and these women, when they call us, have significant levels of trauma, mental health issues, and addiction issues," said Walker. "This is very difficult and complex work."
