nCourage expansion brings coordinated anti-trafficking support to Caledon

By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

nCourage, Peel's Anti-Human Sex Trafficking Integrated Service Hub, will be expanding its anti-human sex trafficking work in Peel Region into areas such as Caledon.

nCourage delivers trauma-informed, client-centred care by bringing together partners across health, justice, housing, community services, and child welfare.

As of January 2026, they officially moved into their dedicated space within The Circle: Peel Centre of Child, Youth and Family Well-Being in Mississauga.

Now, they're expanding yet again to better serve the areas of Caledon, Brampton, and Mississauga.

Officially, nCourage will launch a new hub at Toronto Pearson International Airport, along with service expansion into the City of Brampton and the Town of Caledon.

In collaboration with various community groups, and led by Peel Children's Aid Society (Peel CAS), a media release from nCourage stated that the announcement comes at a “critical time”, as incidents of human sex trafficking “continue to rise across the GTA.”

“Since last year, 202 children and youth were identified by Peel CAS as being involved in human sex trafficking, underscoring the urgent need for earlier intervention and stronger system coordination,” said Mary Beth Moellenkamp, CEO, Peel CAS. “nCourage's anti-human sex trafficking work is now fully integrated within the child welfare system, marking a critical shift from crisis response to proactive intervention.”

This expansion will add two new partner organizations to nCourage's sphere: Victim Services of Peel and CaledonDufferin Victim Services.

The release stated this partnership will “further strengthen a coordinated, wraparound approach to service delivery.”

“CaledonDufferin Victim Services is proud to be part of a coordinated, trauma-informed response in Caledon, supporting crisis intervention, safety planning, and pathways to care for individuals at risk of human trafficking.” says Julie Elsdon-Height, Executive Director, CaledonDufferin Victim Services.

It was stated that with 62 per cent of Canadian human trafficking cases originating in the GTA, the new nCourage hub at Toronto Pearson International Airport will serve as a strategic site for disrupting these incidents within a major transportation corridor.

With this week also marking Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, nCourage will also launch their new campaign, “If you see something, say something,” which aims to empower the community to recognize signs of sex trafficking and take action.

Raising awareness was said to be a critical tool in terms of prevention, as it was stated that the average age of recruitment into sex trafficking in Canada is 13-years-old.

nCourage provides indicators that a person may be at risk, such as isolation from family and friends, someone speaking for them, dictated or restricted movement, the youth are always being monitored or controlled, and more.

To learn more about their campaign or visit nCourage, community members can visit nCourage.ca or call 905-866-2831.

If you are a victim or survivor of human sex trafficking or forced labour, or you know someone who is, contact the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca or at 1-833-900-1010.