Human trafficking is on the rise in Victoria: experts [Video]

Victoria –

This is the fifth story in Hidden in Plain Sight: an in-depth series exploring human trafficking and its connection to British Columbia. Read Part 1 here, Part 2 here, Part 3 here and Part 4 here.

Warning: The contents may be disturbing to some readers

The picturesque city that is B.C.’s capital has an unseen sinister side that many people are not even aware of.

Human trafficking is on the rise in Victoria, experts tell CTV News.

“It’s really bad. We have seen a sharp increase over the last few years,” explained Mia Golden, a youth and family counsellor with Mobile Youth Services Team (MYST).

“It’s a common thing we come across that people don’t know that sex trafficking happens here in Victoria. It happens in every community,” she said.

“What we’re noticing (is) there’s a definite connection between pornography and the drive for demand,” she added.

Golden, along with a …