SELECTED CASE LAW
BRITISH COLUMBIA:
In 2014 BCSC 1727 Mr. M was convicted on more than 24 charges, most notably: human trafficking (279.01(1)(b) and 279.011(1)(b)), sexual interference (s.151), sexual exploitation (s. 153), and sexual assault (s. 271). The case involved 11 complainants ages 14-18 at the time the activities took place. All offences occurred in Vancouver, Richmond and North Vancouver.
M took sexually explicit photographs of the complainants at different times and posted advertisements for their sexual services online from his cell phone and laptops. He attempted to coerce the younger complainants using drugs to facilitate their employment, and encouraged them to lie to their families so that they would remain out of trouble for their involvement with him. He travelled with a number of the complainants across British Columbia for the purpose of prostitution, and facilitated all of appointments through his cellular and computer devices. Nearly all of the victims came from poor socioeconomic backgrounds and were subjected to a host of degrading and violent sexual behaviour at the hands of clients and M.
Police seized numerous laptops, Blackberries and iPhones, which contained data corroborating the allegations against M, many of which were found in the locations in which the offences occurred. The evidence at trial also included a number of internet advertisements for the sexual services of the victims and Facebook messages between M and the victims. Expert evidence showed that although three Facebook accounts were used to send the messages to the victims, all were created and sent by the accused and log-in information from the victims was used to confirm that the accused had messaged them directly. We have been unable to locate a sentencing decision for this case.
Criminal Offence(s): Human Trafficking and Advertising Sexual Services, Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Interference