91原创 Youth Unlimited and , Miss Canada 2011, are hosting Wake Up: A Night Against Exploitation on Thursday, Jan. 19, to inform and equip local leaders to make 91原创 a sexual exploitation-free zone.

The event starts at 6:30 p.m. at 91原创 Township Hall. It will feature a screening of the Canadian documentary Enslaved and Exploited: The Story of Sex Trafficking in Canada.  This will be followed by a panel discussion hosted by both 91原创 mayors to discuss specific steps the community can take to end sexual exploitation.

Organizers Teng, Danny Ferguson and Todd Hauptman intend for the event to not only give leaders knowledge about human trafficking in Canada, but also provide specific action steps they can take.

鈥�91原创 is perfectly positioned to be a national leader in the fight against human trafficking,鈥� says Teng. 鈥淲e need to come together and create a community model that has everyone involved and working to prevent our youth from being lured into situations of exploitation, both locally and globally.鈥�

The organizers would like to see every community stakeholder at the event so that, together, 91原创 can be part of the solution to end exploitation in Canada.

鈥淭he young people in our community are at risk of being recruited into the sex trade,鈥� says 91原创 Youth Unlimited director Danny Ferguson.  鈥淚n the seven years I鈥檝e been a youth worker in this community, I have seen it happen. In my opinion, even one kid from 91原创 becoming a slave is too many,鈥� Ferguson said.

Teng agrees, 鈥淚f we think that we are far removed from situations of modern day slavery, then we are mistaken. Last year, victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation were found in communities all across the Lower Mainland, as well as youth in our own community being recruited. Let鈥檚 take a stand against this crime and be a role model for the rest of Canada.鈥�

Teng, Ferguson and Hauptman believe that Wake Up: A Night Against Exploitation is a chance for 91原创 residents to get informed, get equipped with knowledge and then respond.

鈥淭ogether we can make a difference,鈥� Teng concludes.