Gatineau Police arrest suspect in pimping case, seek to support potential victims

Tashi Farmilo

The Gatineau City Police Service (SPVG) recently arrested 29-year-old Valérie Séguin on charges related to pimping offences, an event that has captured significant public attention. Séguin, who was taken into custody last Friday, January 26, has been detained since her arrest. Following her appearance before the Court of Quebec, she is facing multiple charges, including trafficking of persons under the age of 18, advertising sexual services, pimping, incitement to sexual contact, assault with a weapon, and assault.

This arrest is part of a broader investigation by the SPVG, which began after allegations emerged regarding Séguin's activities between January 6 and January 18, 2024. The SPVG highlighted that there might be additional victims, considering the methods Séguin allegedly employed. The investigation is ongoing, and the SPVG has indicated that further charges could be added as more information surfaces.

In an effort to shed light on the situation and its impact on the community, inquiries were made to the SPVG regarding their approach to this case and the broader issue of human trafficking and sexual exploitation in the community. The SPVG responded, stating, "The media release done yesterday aimed to inform the public, but primarily to reach out to other victims." This highlights their commitment to a media outreach strategy designed to offer a judgement-free and supportive environment for potential victims.

The SPVG acknowledged that victims might hesitate to come forward due to varying apprehensions. They emphasised, "We are aware that victims might hesitate to manifest for different reasons, like shame, fear of reprisals, or even fear of facing charges themselves. We want to assure them that we are here to listen and accompany them towards the available resources and allow them to obtain justice if that is what they desire."

Regarding the investigation, the SPVG noted that their investigators, who specialise in such cases, are currently focusing on identifying victims and ensuring their well-being, stating, "The investigators, responsible for this file, are specialised in this domain. As in every investigation, they must explore all leads, but at this point, the identification of the victims and their well-being are at the centre of their concerns."

The SPVG also provided insights into their broader measures against human trafficking and sexual exploitation.The SPVG further elaborated, "The SPVG has investigators dedicated exclusively to files concerning sexual violence crimes.The SPVG also plays an integral part in the fight against pimping by being a part of the Integrated Pimping Combat Team (EILP), overseen by the Sûreté du Québec."

As part of their public outreach, the SPVG encourages anyone with relevant information or those who believe they might have been victimised by Séguin to contact the SPVG INFO line at 819 243-4636, selecting option 5. The police are actively seeking more information to aid in their ongoing investigation and ensure community safety.

Photo caption: Valérie Séguin, 29, apprehended by the Gatineau Police on charges related to human trafficking and sexual offences.

Photo credit: Courtesy of the SPVG