Canadian models targeted
Potential victims of human trafficking
Norma Greenaway, CanWest News Service
Published: Friday, November 03, 2006

OTTAWA -- A former international model sounded a passionate warning yesterday about the dangers lurking for Canadian teens who dream of stardom on the runways of the fashion capitals of the world.

Liz Crawford, 33, told a Commons committee that some aspiring Canadian models, just like their counterparts from Russia, Romania and other hard-pressed countries, have ended up as victims of human trafficking.

Crawford said they are lured out of the country with promises of careers, but that some never get near international runways.

Instead, she said, they are stripped of their passports, deprived of money and forced to work in bars and strip clubs, and to buy their way out of virtual captivity.

Crawford, a 20-year veteran of the industry, said she fears such abuse will increase because of the "soaring" popularity of Canadian models around the world.

"They are becoming quite popular because of our ethnic diversity. . . . You know, we have good skin. We're very sought after."

Crawford testified before the committee on the status of women, which is exploring the link between human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Crawford told MPs she got her introduction to the "darker side" of the business at the age of 18 when she was on her first international assignment in Vienna.

Crawford was busy doing modeling gigs, but she noticed her young Romanian roommate was only going out at night to "entertain clients" for the agency.

"She was being passed around client to client. It was heartbreaking."

Since then, she said, she has witnessed and heard many other stories.

Crawford said she was spared serious abuse during her career because she had an excellent agent, supportive parents and enough money to come home if she got in a jam.

"With shows like Project Runway and Canada's Next Top Model, there are so many girls, young girls who want to become models," she said.

It is imperative that they are protected from exploitation, Crawford said.

© The Vancouver Province 2006