Calgary police have laid charges against a man believed to have sold the sexual services of two female minors.
Ahmed Hassan Duale, 33, is being charged with two counts of sexual assault and one count of trafficking persons under 18 years of age among various other charges laid by the Calgary Police Service (CPS).
Police spent several months investigating the accused. During that time, they learned that he recruited a 15-year-old girl to work for him between March 2020 and February 2021.
He used online advertisements to sell her for sexual services in exchange for money, drugs and alcohol. He kept most of the money for himself, according to police.
They also learned that Duale became involved with a 13 year-old girl whom he used for the same purposes.
He engaged both girls in sexual activity while they were working for him, according to police.
The age of consent is 16 in Canada. It means both girls were unable to legally consent to any of the acts they endured, police said.
As part of an ongoing investigation, information was obtained by the victims, whom then reached out to the police.
Ongoing issue with trafficking in Calgary
Detective Amy Spence with the Child Abuse Unit of the CPS, said in a press conference that, “each of the victims [are] now safe and being offered the support they need
“I do believe that there are people out there in the community that have more information in relation to this investigation and I encourage them to come forward,” said Spence.
The issue of human trafficking in Calgary is ongoing, she said. Spence believes there are many victims who are struggling with abuse.
“More victims with the support they are receiving—not just from the police, but also with the community supports—are feeling a lot more comfortable coming forward,” said Spence
“This is a very real issue in the city of Calgary and within Canada.”
Spence noted that offenders are using social media to recruit minors into doing these sexual acts.
“They’re befriending them online and then arranging times to meet up with them in the community,” said Spence.
Spence encourages anyone with information to contact her directly at 403-428-5457.
