Benjamin Perrin called "hero" by US State Department

Benjamin Perrin, BComm ’01, recognized by Hillary Clinton as a hero in the fight against modern-day slavery.

Ben Perrin was honoured by Hillary Clinton, and the U.S. State Department in their Annual Trafficking in Persons Report. Perrin is the first Canadian to be recognized by this award and one of only nine people world-wide to be recognized this year.

While at U of C in 2000, Perrin launched The Future Group, an organization that helps human trafficking victims overseas and assists with prosecuting offenders. Perrin is also the inaugural recipient of the Graduate of the Last Decade Award (Gold Award), and a leading anti-trafficking activist in Canada.

Currently a law professor at UBC, Perrin research hopes to provide Canada’s first comprehensive account of human trafficking and propose policy recommendations to increase the prosecution of traffickers and the protection of victims.

Next fall Penguin Group (Canada) will publish his book, Journey of Injustice: Canada’s Underground World of Human Trafficking.

A full copy of the 2009 Trafficking in Persons Report and a video of the remarks may be seen at http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2009/index.htm