Experts: Understanding the sexual exploitation of minors in Quebec

A new commission is looking into the sexual exploitation of minors in Quebec. In November, the commission launched its public consultations in Quebec City to develop a better understanding of the extent of the issue. Later it will travel to Montreal and Val-d'Or to meet with individuals and organizations that work to fight sexual exploitation. (La Presse)

Here are experts from McGill University that can provide comment on this topic:

“The commission on juvenile sex trafficking is undertaking important work in demystifying taboos and investigating the prevalence and impact of sex trafficking in minors. The holistic mandate to not only strengthen measures to combat human trafficking, but also to look at prevention and rehabilitation for victims and their families is an encouraging step towards helping affected and vulnerable Quebec youth. Health care professionals can play an important role in identifying, treating and advocating for victims of human trafficking because of the high likelihood that a victim will seek medical treatment during captivity.”

Françoise Filion, Assistant Professor, Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University

Françoise Filion is an Assistant Professor at the Ingram School of Nursing at McGill University, where she teaches community health nursing and works with several underserved populations. She is also a clinical teacher in post-partum at the Ingram School of Nursing. Previously she worked as Project Director for Nursing Research at McGill University and as a public health nurse for 8 years.

francoise.filion [at] mcgill.ca (French, English)

Farhan Bhanji, Professor of Pediatrics and Director of Education at the Steinberg Centre for Simulation and Interactive Learning, McGill University

Farhan Bhanji is the Director of Education for the Steinberg Centre for Simulation and Interactive Learning (SCSIL) at the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University. He is currently a Professor of Pediatrics (Critical Care) at McGill University and Associate Director, Assessment Strategy at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, where he supports the examination quality and assessment practices for the 68 specialties and 126 national examinations.

farhan.bhanji [at] mcgill.ca (English, French)

Guido Guberman, MD/PhD student, McGill University, and Co-Founder of Canadian Alliance of Medical Students Against Human Trafficking

Guido Guberman is a student in the MD/PhD program at McGill University, and the co-founder and co-president of the Canadian Alliance of Medical Students Against Human Trafficking (CAMSAHT). The organization currently has over 40 members across 12 medical schools, and through their work, thousands of future healthcare professionals are learning how to recognize the signs of human trafficking in their patients.

guido.guberman [at] mail.mcgill.ca (English, French, Spanish)

Niki Soilis, Education Manager, Steinberg Centre for Simulation and Interactive Learning, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University

Niki Soilis is the Education Manager at the Steinberg Centre for Simulation and Interactive Learning in the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University. She is responsible for the educational activities within the SCSIL, leading their design, organization, implementation and evaluation. She works with McGill faculty and allied academic health centres to align simulation activities with their clinical training curricula.

niki.soilis [at] mcgill.ca (English, French)