Survivors of human trafficking not only endure mental trauma but also face financial struggles. A woman in Toronto is calling for changes after battling with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) over benefits fraudulently claimed by her traffickers.
Cassandra Harvey was groomed by a trusted individual at 14 and led into a traumatic experience for four years before escaping. Apart from the emotional toll, survivors like her often deal with the financial aftermath caused by traffickers misusing their identity.
Her traffickers exploited her identity to open multiple accounts, accumulating over $65,000 in debt in her name. Despite clearing the debt with the help of volunteers, Harvey now faces issues with the CRA reclaiming benefits wrongly obtained by her trafficker during the pandemic.
Struggling to resolve the matter with the CRA, Harvey, a university student and single mother, emphasizes the financial burden created by the agency’s actions. Richard Dunwoody, who has helped survivors clear debts incurred by traffickers, criticizes the CRA for pursuing individuals like Harvey.
The CRA assures a responsible approach to cases involving coercion or exploitation, but confidentiality provisions limit comments on specific situations. Harvey remains determined to advocate for herself and other survivors, aiming to create an advisory board to aid the CRA in understanding and addressing the financial challenges survivors endure.
