The United Nations said it’s the fastest growing crime in the world – human traffickers use coercion, intimidation and violence to force women, and sometimes men, into the sex trade.

Two Montreal police officers have written a book telling the stories of six young women forced into Montreal’s sex industry.

“These girls, once they're trapped into it, a lot of them fear dying,” said Josee Mensales, police officer and co-author of Pour l’Amour de mon Pimp, which translates to “For the love of my pimp.”

Mensales and partner Diane Veillette are on the front lines of tackling sexual exploitation in Montreal.

Since 2010, they've worked with victims coerced into the sex trade, and profiled six people who pressed charges against their pimps in the book, Mensales said.

She said despite misconceptions, most human trafficking victims in Montreal are locals.

“You don’t need to be kidnapped. It’s all [done] through manipulation,” she explained. Traffickers target their victim’s needs then promise to fulfill them whether that means offering them money, drugs, affection or anything else, she added.

“[The victims] choose to get into that scenario, but they don't choose to stay because after a while obviously the violence will kick in. [The traffickers] make sure they keep that person imprisoned by making threats against the family, whatever works the best with the victim’s profile,” said Mensales.

And they often find their victims online, using Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to find potential victims.

The average age someone gets approached at is 15 – the younger they are, the more they’re worth, Mensales explained. But adults aren’t exempt; she’s worked with victims who were in their 30s.

Mensales said part of the problem is that victims don’t normally tell people about their interactions with the traffickers. They hear proposals that are too good to be true, but don’t bounce them off others who may be able to warn them against accepting those proposals.

“Traffickers are in that for money. […] To them the victim isn’t a person, they’re merchandise,” she said.

For now, the book is only available in French. The authors say their goal was to raise awareness about the problem and show family members what signs to look for if they think a loved one is being exploited.

“When we speak with the parents we always said to them do not close the door, this is very important to keep the communication with the victims,” said Veillette.

It’s most important to make sure the victims know they’re not alone, and that they’re not responsible for the suffering they’re going through, she added.

Mensales says she hopes other victims will identify with the stories in the book and realize there’s help available to them when they’re ready to come forward.

“It's all a question of getting that shame off of their shoulders,” she said.