Montreal, Wednesday, June 3, 2015 – CATHII took part in a press conference organized by CLES, a press conference using the theme “ Un trop Grand Prix pour les femmes. No to sexual tourism “ so as to denounce sexual exploitation and the recruitment of girls and women for prostitution during the Formula 1 Grand Prix.
The Action Committee against internal and international human trafficking (CATHII) as well as the Collective to aid women who are sexually exploited (CAFES) and the Movement against rape and incest (MCVI) equally spoke out during the press conference. Each group shared briefly on their expertise, their observations and their deep concern regarding the impact of the Montreal Grand Prix especially on women in prostitution and on the social relationships of sex in general.
Message from CATHII: Today we join our voice to those of the CLES (KEY), the HELOC, the CAFES CAFLA and to denounce the indifference of the authorities towards people exploited during major sporting events like the Grand Prix of Montreal.
Human trafficking at major sporting events is increasingly denounced worldwide as outlined in the Trafficking in Persons Report (US, 2014). The Montreal Grand Prix is no exception. It is observed that during the Grand Prix there is an increase in trafficking, especially of women, both for sexual exploitation and for forced labor in the tourism industry.