Invisible Chains Explained

Italic Title:	(see above) -->
Invisible Chains: Canada's Underground World of Human Trafficking
Author:	Benjamin Perrin
Country:	Canada
Language:	English
Subject:	Human trafficking in Canada
Published:	2010
Media Type:	Print
Isbn:	0143178970

Invisible Chains: Canada's Underground World of Human Trafficking is a 2010 book about human trafficking by Benjamin Perrin. Perrin wrote the book after researching human trafficking for ten years.^[1] In Invisible Chains, Perrin recounts a variety of stories of human trafficking in Canada, including that of the prostitution of a child in Ontario whose sexual services were advertised in the adult services section of Craigslist.^[2] The book was timed to be published within three weeks of the release of Joy Smith's proposal for the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking.^[3] Perrin advocated adopting Smith's proposal, saying that Invisible Chains "shows that while traffickers have a plan, Canada doesn't," and that the victims are the ones who suffer from the lack of a national action plan.^[4] Perrin promoted the book in Winnipeg, Manitoba in October 2010.^[5] Mark Milke of the Calgary Herald said that Perrin's book is "not an enjoyable read. It's depressing... but it's a necessary read," going on to say that Invisible Chains "will do much good."^[6] University of Manitoba professor Joan Durrant praised Invisible Chains, calling it a powerful book.^[7] Chester Brown condemned Invisible Chains, saying that it purports "that johns are evil monsters." In response, Brown wrote Paying for It, a graphic novel written "from the john's point of view, since of course, I don’t think of myself as an evil monster."^[8] Perrin's book was nominated for a George Ryga Award for Social Awareness in Literature,^[9] but lost to One Story, One Song, an essay collection by Richard Wagamese.^[10]

Notes and References

1. News: National Post. Don't regulate prostitutes. Rescue them. Barbara Kay. October 5, 2010. November 18, 2013. November 19, 2013. https://archive.today/20131119052838/http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2010/10/05/barbara-kay-dont-regulate-prostitutes-rescue-them/. dead.
2. News: The Globe and Mail. Sex trafficking: a national disgrace. Julian Sher. October 15, 2010. November 18, 2013.
3. News: Winnipeg Free Press. B.C. prof shines light on modern-day slavery. Brenlee Carrington. October 9, 2010. November 18, 2013.
4. News: The Filipino Journal. National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking Required. September 2013. 7. 9. October 10, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20111125075029/http://filipinojournal.com/alberta/local-news/canada/national-action-plan-to-combat-human-trafficking-required.html. November 25, 2011.
5. News: Brandon Sun. Ban sex-trade ads, author tells province: Wants Manitoba to follow Ontario's lead. Carol Sanders. October 14, 2010. November 18, 2013.
6. News: Calgary Herald. The slave trade makes a comeback in Canada. Mark Milke. November 14, 2010. November 18, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140525232130/http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/theeditorialpage/story.html?id=72a2db7f-1505-4824-8bd0-7cda7e924c40&p=2. May 25, 2014. dead.
7. News: Winnipeg Free Press. On The Night Table: Joan Durrant. May 21, 2011. November 18, 2013.
8. News: Maclean's. Chester Brown on prostitution, romantic love, and being a john: In conversation with Nick Kohler. Nicholas Köhler. May 2, 2011. November 18, 2013.
9. Kamloops This Week. Local authors up for Ryga award. August 4, 2011. October 17, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20131003031814/http://www.bclocalnews.com/entertainment/126774803.html. October 3, 2013. dead.
10. News: Summerland Review. Essay collection wins Ryga Award. September 28, 2011. John Arendt. November 19, 2013. May 25, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140525233557/http://www.bclocalnews.com/entertainment/130742073.html. dead.