A 36-year-old man from Mississauga is accused of trafficking a woman and keeping her earnings, as well as forcing her to take sexualized pictures and distributing them online.
In June, Toronto police’s Human Trafficking Unit launched an investigation in Toronto and Mississauga after learning that a female victim had been subject to a “combination of deception, coercion, and control.”
On Wednesday, a Criminal Code search warrant was executed at an address in Mississauga. There, officers found and arrested Elijah Benjamin, 36, of Mississauga.
He has been charged with assault, theft over $5,000, procuring, advertising another person’s sexual services. trafficking in persons over 18, uttering threats cause death, financial/material benefit/trafficking persons over 18, and material benefit from sexual services. These charges have not been tested in court.
The accused was scheduled to appear in bail court that morning.
Police believe there could be more victims
Police believe there may be more victims and are encouraging anyone who may have been victimized to come forward.
This human trafficking investigation is ongoing and anyone with further information is asked to contact Toronto police at 416-808-4838 or humantrafficking@torontopolice.on.ca, or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:
- Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety.
- The Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres' website has a comprehensive list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling.
- The Ending Violence Association of Canada‘s website has links to helplines, support services and locations across Canada that offer sexual assault kits.
- Indian Residential School Survivors Society crisis lines: +1 866 925 4419 or +1 800 721 0066 (24/7)
- Toronto Rape Crisis Centre crisis line: +1 416 597 8808 (24/7)
- Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: +1 833 900 1010 (24/7)
- Trans Lifeline: +1 877 330 6366
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988 (24/7)
- Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre for current and former Canadian Armed Forces members: +1 844 750 1648
- Read about your rights as a victim on the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime website.
