New Sudbury group rescues women trapped in prostitution rings

Morning North7:17Sudbury support group for victims of human trafficking

There's a new support group in Sudbury for victims of human trafficking. Cristina Scarpellini started the group Angels of Hope Against Human Trafficking because she felt it was becoming a growing problem in Sudbury. She joined us with more details.

The founder of a new support group in Sudbury says human trafficking is a growing problem in the city.

Cristina Scarpellini started the Angels of Hope Against Human Trafficking, after hearing of many local girls being lured into prostitution.

• Sudbury sex workers say they're working of their own free will

In last few months, her group has helped rescue six Sudbury women from pimps here and around Ontario, Scarpellini said.

"It's almost like they're empty inside. They're just a shell of their former selves. There's a lot of trauma and these girls need a lot of help."

One woman, who was held in an apartment in Toronto, "had a [daily] quota that she had to meet if she wanted to be fed," Scarpellini continued.

"If she didn't meet this quota, then she had to keep on going. Every cent of what she made went to her pimp."

Scarpellini said she wants to see Angels of Hope play a major educational role in Sudbury, helping girls and their parents understand how to avoid falling into a human trafficking scheme.

A fundraising campaign has also been started for the group, with a gala dinner set to be held at the Caruso Club in April.