20 Manitoba men arrested for obtaining sexual services from vulnerable victims, police say

A total of 20 men face charges as a result of a continuing joint Winnipeg-Brandon sexual exploitation investigation called Project Beckon, police say.

The menare charged with obtaining sexual services,police said at a joint policeconference Monday morning in Brandon.

"Ithink this will have a dramatic effect on those seeking sexual services within our city and hopefully the message here is that it's not going to be tolerated in our community," said Winnipeg police Sgt.Richard McDougall, a member ofthe counter-exploitation unit.

The accused are age 22 to 82years old; 14livein Brandon, while the other six are from Winnipeg, Virden, Souris, Shoal Lake and Erickson.Police also seized 15 cars.

Project Beckon, which hadfinancial support from the Manitoba Justice Department, was ajoint forces intelligence-based investigationtargetingthe demand side of sexual exploitation, and prioritizingthesafety and wellbeingof sex workers and those who are beingdirectly or indirectly exploited, police said.

It started after Brandon police reached out to other forces for assistance in fighting human trafficking, police said.

"Through intelligence gathering and liaising with our downtown business and agency partners, it became apparent that human trafficking and sexual exploitation exists in Brandon and has been gaining traction in our community," Brandon Insp. Mike Pelechatysaid.

Brandon bound

Winnipeg police sent resources last year to Brandon, a city of about 50,000 that's 200 kilometres west of Manitoba's capital.

As a result of the partnership, Brandon policecreated a youth intelligence officer, who works with runaways and sexually exploited youth,and an additional drug investigator to tackle meth and other drug networks in the city.

The Winnipeg counter-exploitation unitdoes proactive investigations into human trafficking, street prostitution, escorts, massage parlours, illegal gaming, liquor offences and ticket scalping.

Street prostitution can be extremely high risk when it comes tophysical and mental health and wellness, with a high propensity forassaultand abuse, the Winnipeg police website says.

Signs someone's being exploited include beingescorted or watched, not speaking on their own behalf, limited knowledge of the place the person isin, and signs of depression or fear.

"Victims do not choose this lifestyleor the harm inflicted on them," Brandon police Sgt. Kirby Sararas said.

Those who usethe services of sex-trade workers are liable to varying consequences, from seizure ofvehicles used to commit offences, suspension of driver's licences, fines and imprisonment, and diversion to a prostitution offender program,the Winnipeg police website says.

Police would not say how they found the men out of concern forthe integrity of the continuing investigation. None of the victims had called for assistance or appeared to need rescuing.

All 20 men were released on a promise to appear in court in Brandonin September.