The extent of human trafficking, either in Canada and internationally, is difficult to assess due to the hidden nature of the crime, the reluctance of victims and witnesses to come forward to law enforcement and the difficulty of identifying victims. [...] About the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking In June 2012, the Government of Canada launched the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking (National Action Plan), which consolidates ongoing efforts of the federal government to combat human trafficking and introduces aggressive new initiatives to prevent this crime, identify victims, protect the most vulnerable, and prosecute p [...] Public Safety Canada (PS) leads the Human Trafficking Taskforce, comprised of key departments, and is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the National Action Plan commitments and for coordinating the federal anti- human trafficking response and reporting annually on progress to the public. [...] The information and recommendations flowing from the discussions which took place at the National Forum will be used to inform federal priorities as the Government seeks to build on current efforts to take action against human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and forced labour. [...] The Government recognizes that the key to the long term success of the National Action Plan is communication and engagement with stakeholders and experts in Canada who play a unique and integral role in preventing and combatting this crime.