Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories Inside The Dark Highway

In this powerful episode of Shield the Vulnerable: Untold Stories, filmmaker AJ Edmunds shares how a seemingly routine documentary project turned into a life-altering mission to uncover one of Canada’s darkest secrets: human trafficking along Ontario’s Highway 401.

Born and raised in Kingston, Ontario, AJ had traveled that highway her whole life, unaware that it was a trafficking superhighway. But after a simple Google search during early research revealed the scale and proximity of the crime, she knew she could no longer look away. With zero background in the topic, AJ dove in headfirst—learning from survivor leaders, confronting the system, and ultimately creating The Dark Highway, a haunting and humanizing film exposing the reality many still refuse to see.

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Episode Breakdown:

(0:00 – 0:02:30) Introduction: From Filmmaker to Advocate

AJ shares her background in the arts and how her childhood in Kingston—just steps from the 401—felt miles away from the dark reality she would later uncover. She discusses her introduction to filmmaking and how an unexpected conversation with another producer about trafficking opened the door to a hidden world she had never imagined.

(0:02:30 – 0:06:00) Realizing the 401 Was a Trafficking Corridor

Highway 401 is North America’s busiest roadway, but few know it’s also a major route for trafficking victims. AJ describes learning how survivors were moved city to city along this stretch, often unnoticed. She opens up about the moment she realized: “Now that I know this, I can’t pretend I don’t.”

(0:06:00 – 0:10:15) Survivors at the Center of the Story

Meeting survivor leaders like Kelly Tallon Franklin and Katarina MacLeod changed everything. Rather than extracting stories, AJ built trust, included survivors in every stage of filming, and ensured the documentary was not just about trauma—but about truth, healing, and hope.

(0:10:15 – 0:13:30) Human Trafficking Doesn’t Look Like the Movies

AJ and the host debunk the “Taken” myth. Trafficking isn’t always violent or dramatic—it’s insidious. Most victims are Canadian-born. Many are under 13. For Indigenous girls, the average age is just eight. And most are trafficked while still living at home and attending school.

(0:13:30 – 0:16:40) What Happens After Escape?

One of AJ’s biggest realizations during research was how little support exists post-exit. Survivors don’t just walk away and heal. They need long-term care—years of it. The Dark Highway explores this unspoken truth and calls for survivor-led, trauma-informed care models.

(0:16:40 – 0:19:00) Partnering for Impact: Courage for Freedom

AJ discusses how she partnered with Courage for Freedom to ensure The Dark Highway is more than a film—it’s part of an impact campaign. Screened in high schools and used to train social workers and victim services, the documentary helps educate before exploitation happens—and support after.

(0:19:00 – 0:21:20) Creating Safe Spaces for Kids to Disclose

AJ shares what she learned about why most children don’t report abuse: fear, shame, and the “cost of disclosure.” She emphasizes the role adults must play in creating judgment-free, trauma-informed environments where kids feel safe telling the truth.

(0:21:20 – 0:24:00) From Silence to Strategy: Survivor Leaders Know the Way Forward

Survivors are not just brave—they are experts. AJ breaks down how survivor-led organizations are uniquely positioned to identify red flags, prevent re-trafficking, and guide system-level reform. “They’ve lived it. They know where the gaps are.”

(0:24:00 – 0:26:00) Why Awareness Isn’t Enough

While awareness is crucial, AJ explains why systemic change and survivor-driven infrastructure are the true next steps. From longer support timelines to changing how cases are handled in courts, she calls for action that goes beyond hashtags and headlines.

(0:26:00 – 0:28:00) Final Thoughts: Bringing the Highway Into the Light

AJ closes with the idea that most people have driven past a trafficking victim without realizing it. Trafficking isn’t just happening elsewhere—it’s in your city, in your school district, maybe even on your block. The solution? Listen. Learn. Act. Support survivor-led solutions. Break the silence.