Episode VI | Human Trafficking

In this episode, we’re diving deeper into the familial, psychological, and community engagement perspectives on human trafficking with our guest. Having overcome personal trauma and supporting her daughter after she was trafficked, our guest has dedicated over a decade of her life to combating human trafficking through awareness, research, and public speaking opportunities with domestic and international audiences, which specifically aligns with her passion in working with parents to help better support their children.

Referenced Services & Operations

Parent with Purpose - Lynda's Initiatives

Lynda's Interview on CBS News: The National

Follow Lynda's recent work on LinkedIn

Book Recommendations

Walk A Mile: A Mothers Journey into her Daughter's Secret Life by Lynda Harlos

*First two chapters available here

Confessions of a Perfect Mom: Embracing the Five Stages of Parenting by Lynda Harlos

I Was The Perfect Parent...then I had kids: Experience Parenting with greater victory and less guilt by Lynda Harlos

Resources

National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 or text "HELP" to 233733

"The number one reason that traffickers can approach [a child] is because they're vulnerable. And they're vulnerable because they don't feel like they have a safe place. They can't unload all the stuff that's going on in their life because 'mom's going to say this' or 'dad's going to be critical' or 'my friends are going to laugh at me' ... being a parent always has to be number one, but you have to be the person that they can come to and know 'my mom is a problem solver, she's here to help me'."

- Lynda Harlos

Lynda Harlos

parentwithpurpose.ca@gmail.com

Imagine discovering your child had been sex trafficked. What would you do? If you're Lynda Harlos, you start a fire. A blazing fire that would wipe out ignorance, denial, and misunderstanding within families, communities, and the world. A fire that would ignite passion in others to stand up and join the fight against domestic sex trafficking.

Lynda is a ‘Sex Trafficking & Abuse Prevention Educator’ for Parents and Professionals who are in contact with children between the ages of 2-25. She is also a Keynote speaker, TEDx Speaker, Author, Family Coach and hosted a Parenting Talk Show.

As a mother of a sex trafficking victim, she endeavoured to turn their ‘Pain into Purpose’ globally in the hopes of preventing victimization. In doing so, she works with many organizations, including several Victim Services across Canada, Covenant House, Boost for Kids, Courage for Freedom, and many more.

Lynda’s newest book ‘Walk a Mile,’ available on Amazon, talks about her struggle as a parent, realizing that what she thought was a ‘teenage hormonal issue’ was her daughter being lured, groomed, and gamed into sex trafficking.

She has conducted many interviews and spoken at events to spread awareness, including a TEDx talk, CBC, Global News, CTV North, 360 Kids, the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, the Toronto Star, and many more.
You can check out her work and watch training videos on her website or YouTube channel @ParentWithPurpose.ca.