Terms and Conditions

Effective Date: October 26, 2026

Last Updated: October 26, 2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to The Global Institute for Human Trafficking Education ("GIHTE," "we," "our," or "us").

GIHTE provides specialized education, professional development, training, and resources related to human trafficking. Our educational approach brings together survivor leaders, frontline professionals, healthcare providers, Indigenous knowledge keepers, law enforcement, educators, clinicians, and subject-matter experts to deliver practical, evidence-informed, and survivor-informed learning.

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your access to and use of our website, online learning platforms, educational materials, training programs, and related services (collectively, the "Services").

By accessing our website, registering for a course, purchasing educational materials, or participating in our Services, you agree to these Terms.

If you do not agree with these Terms, please discontinue use of our website and Services.

GIHTE is committed to advancing knowledge, strengthening professional responses, and supporting informed approaches to human trafficking through education.

Our Services may include:

Online courses and educational programs

Professional development and specialized training

Workshops, webinars, and conferences

Educational resources, publications, and downloadable materials

Organizational and institutional training

Survivor-led and multidisciplinary educational opportunities

Other related educational services

GIHTE strives to provide accurate, relevant, and evidence-informed education. However, educational content may evolve as research, professional practices, legislation, and understanding of human trafficking continue to develop.

We reserve the right to update, modify, or discontinue educational content and Services as necessary.

All information provided through GIHTE is intended for educational and informational purposes only.

Our Services do not constitute legal advice, medical advice, psychological treatment, clinical supervision, crisis intervention, or other regulated professional services.

Participation in GIHTE training does not replace professional licensing, accreditation, regulatory requirements, or an individual's obligation to follow applicable laws, workplace policies, and professional standards.

While GIHTE incorporates lived experience, professional expertise, and available evidence into its educational content, we do not guarantee that participation in any course will produce specific professional, organizational, or personal outcomes.

Participants are responsible for applying the knowledge gained through GIHTE appropriately within their professional roles and applicable legal and ethical frameworks.

By accessing our Services, you agree to:

Provide accurate and complete information when registering for courses or creating an account.

Use our website and educational resources lawfully and respectfully.

Maintain the confidentiality of your account credentials.

Refrain from sharing account access with unauthorized individuals.

Respect the intellectual property and contributions of GIHTE educators, survivor leaders, and other contributors.

Avoid activities that interfere with the security, functionality, or accessibility of our Services.

Our educational programs are generally intended for adults and professionals. Individuals under the age of 18 may only participate in programs specifically designated as appropriate for minors, subject to applicable consent requirements.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate access to our Services when users violate these Terms or engage in conduct that compromises the safety, integrity, or educational purpose of our programs.

Certain GIHTE Services may require registration and payment.

By purchasing or registering for a course, you agree to the pricing, payment terms, access conditions, and any additional requirements presented at the time of registration.

Unless otherwise stated:

Course fees are listed in Canadian dollars (CAD).

Applicable taxes may be added where required by law.

Payment must be completed before access to paid educational content is granted.

Course registrations and access are intended for the registered participant unless an organizational or group licence has been purchased.

Access periods, where applicable, will be communicated during registration or purchase. GIHTE reserves the right to modify course fees, availability, schedules, instructors, and program content. Changes to pricing will not retroactively affect completed purchases unless expressly agreed upon or required by law.

Refunds and cancellations are subject to the specific terms communicated at the time of registration or purchase, together with applicable Canadian consumer protection laws. For self-paced digital courses, access to educational materials may begin immediately following payment.

For live training sessions, workshops, conferences, or organizational programs, cancellation and refund conditions may vary depending on the program.

GIHTE may reschedule, modify, or cancel a course or event due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including instructor availability, technical difficulties, or other operational requirements.

Where GIHTE cancels a paid program without providing a reasonable alternative, participants will be offered an appropriate refund or other remedy consistent with applicable law.

Nothing in these Terms limits any refund, cancellation, or consumer rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.

All website content, course materials, educational resources, presentations, videos, recordings, graphics, logos, written materials, and other content made available through GIHTE are protected by applicable intellectual property laws.

Unless otherwise indicated, such materials are owned by GIHTE or used with permission from their respective rights holders.

Participants receive a limited, personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to access and use educational materials for their intended learning purposes.

Materials contributed by independent educators, survivor leaders, Indigenous knowledge keepers, and other experts may remain the intellectual property of those contributors, subject to their agreements with GIHTE.

All rights not expressly granted are reserved.

GIHTE recognizes that survivor leaders contribute specialized knowledge and expertise informed by lived experience, professional development, advocacy, and education.

We are committed to respecting the dignity, autonomy, intellectual contributions, and professional expertise of individuals who share their knowledge through our programs.

Participants agree not to:

Reproduce or distribute personal narratives, testimonies, or lived-experience accounts without appropriate authorization.

Use survivor stories for personal, commercial, or organizational purposes without consent.

Misrepresent, sensationalize, or exploit information shared by survivor educators.

Record or publish discussions involving sensitive personal experiences without permission.

Participation in GIHTE programming does not grant permission to use an educator's identity, image, voice, personal history, or educational contributions outside the authorized learning environment.

GIHTE encourages ethical engagement with survivor-informed education and recognizes that lived experience should be treated as expertise, not as publicly available material for unrestricted use.

GIHTE educational programs may address sensitive topics, including human trafficking, exploitation, abuse, coercion, violence, trauma, and systemic harms.

Some content may be emotionally challenging or distressing.

We strive to create educational environments grounded in respect, dignity, and trauma-informed principles. However, we cannot guarantee that all participants will experience educational content in the same way.

Participants are encouraged to make informed decisions about their engagement with course materials and to seek appropriate professional or personal support when needed.

GIHTE does not provide emergency assistance, counselling, or crisis intervention through its general educational Services unless expressly stated.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services or an appropriate crisis support provider.

GIHTE is committed to creating inclusive, respectful, and professional learning environments.

Participants in interactive courses, webinars, workshops, discussions, and other educational activities are expected to engage respectfully with educators and fellow participants.

We do not tolerate:

Harassment, intimidation, bullying, or threatening behaviour.

Racism, sexism, discrimination, or hateful conduct.

Victim-blaming, exploitation, or deliberate humiliation.

Unauthorized disclosure of another participant's personal information.

Disruptive behaviour that undermines the safety or integrity of the learning environment.

Participants must respect the confidentiality of personal experiences shared in educational discussions.

GIHTE may remove individuals from learning environments or restrict access to Services where conduct violates these standards, subject to applicable law and any relevant contractual obligations.

GIHTE respects the privacy of individuals accessing our website and educational Services.

We may collect personal information necessary to administer registrations, process payments, provide educational access, communicate with participants, and improve our Services.

Personal information will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable Canadian privacy legislation, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), where applicable, and relevant provincial privacy laws.

For further information regarding how personal information is collected, used, disclosed, stored, and protected, please review our Privacy Policy.

During certain educational programs, participants may encounter confidential, sensitive, or personal information.

Participants agree to respect the privacy of other learners, educators, and individuals referenced in educational materials.

Unless expressly authorized, participants must not disclose identifiable personal information, private discussions, or confidential materials obtained through GIHTE programs.

Participants should avoid sharing identifying details about clients, survivors, patients, or other individuals in educational discussions unless disclosure is lawful, necessary, and appropriately authorized.

GIHTE cannot guarantee the confidentiality of information voluntarily disclosed by participants to other participants in interactive learning environments.

GIHTE may provide certificates of completion or participation for eligible educational programs.

Certificates confirm participation in or completion of the specified GIHTE program according to its stated requirements.

Unless expressly indicated, certificates do not constitute:

Professional licensing

Government accreditation

Regulatory certification

Authorization to practise a regulated profession

A guarantee of employment or professional advancement

Any continuing education credits, professional recognition, or accreditation associated with a course will be clearly identified where applicable.

GIHTE reserves the right to establish reasonable requirements for certificate eligibility, including attendance, assessments, participation, and successful course completion.

GIHTE may provide customized training, educational resources, or professional development programs to organizations, institutions, agencies, and professional groups. Such Services may be governed by separate written agreements addressing fees, deliverables, scheduling, intellectual property, confidentiality, participant access, and other relevant conditions. Where a separate written agreement conflicts with these Terms, the separate agreement will govern the applicable Services to the extent of the conflict.

Organizations purchasing training are responsible for ensuring that their participants comply with applicable access restrictions and educational-use requirements.

Our website and educational Services may contain links to third-party websites, learning management systems, payment processors, video platforms, and other external services.

These third-party services operate under their own terms, privacy policies, and practices.

GIHTE is not responsible for the content, availability, security, or privacy practices of third-party websites or platforms that we do not control.

The inclusion of an external link does not necessarily constitute endorsement of the third party or its content.

We encourage users to review the terms and privacy policies of external services before providing personal information or making purchases.

GIHTE makes reasonable efforts to maintain the availability, accessibility, and functionality of its website and educational platforms.

However, we do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free access. Temporary interruptions may occur due to maintenance, updates, technical difficulties, third-party service disruptions, or circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

Users are responsible for maintaining suitable internet access, compatible devices, and any software reasonably required to participate in online learning.

Where a significant technical issue prevents access to a paid Service, GIHTE will make reasonable efforts to restore access or provide an appropriate alternative or remedy.

GIHTE is committed to delivering education informed by current research, professional expertise, lived experience, and relevant systems-level knowledge. Nevertheless, information regarding human trafficking, legislation, policies, intervention practices, and professional standards may change over time. We do not warrant that all educational materials will remain current, complete, or applicable to every jurisdiction or professional circumstance.

Participants should consult relevant legislation, professional regulators, organizational policies, and qualified professionals when applying educational information to specific situations.

GIHTE reserves the right to revise educational materials to reflect new information, emerging research, and evolving professional practices.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, GIHTE and its directors, employees, contractors, educators, and representatives will not be liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages arising from the use of our website or educational Services.

GIHTE is not responsible for decisions, actions, or professional practices undertaken by participants based on educational content, except to the extent liability cannot lawfully be excluded.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law, including mandatory consumer protection rights.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, users agree to indemnify and hold harmless GIHTE and its representatives against third-party claims, losses, and reasonable expenses arising directly from the user's unlawful conduct, infringement of intellectual property rights, or material violation of these Terms.

This provision does not apply to the extent that a claim or loss results from GIHTE's own negligence, unlawful conduct, or other liability that cannot legally be excluded.

GIHTE is committed to promoting accessible and inclusive educational opportunities.

We recognize that participants may have diverse learning needs, disabilities, cultural perspectives, professional backgrounds, and lived experiences.

We strive to improve the accessibility of our website, learning materials, and educational programs in accordance with applicable accessibility legislation and standards.

Participants who require accessibility accommodations are encouraged to contact GIHTE so that reasonable arrangements can be explored.

Accessibility Contact: [Insert Email Address]

GIHTE may revise these Terms periodically to reflect changes in our Services, operations, legal obligations, or educational practices.

Updated Terms will be posted on our website with a revised effective date.

Where required by law, we will provide notice of material changes and obtain consent.

Changes will not retroactively alter completed purchases or existing contractual rights where doing so would be prohibited by applicable law.

Continued use of our Services after updated Terms take effect may constitute acceptance where permitted by law.

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the applicable federal laws of Canada, without prejudice to any mandatory legal protections available to users in other jurisdictions.

Any disputes arising from these Terms will be subject to the jurisdiction of the competent courts in Ontario, except where applicable law requires otherwise.

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, that provision will be limited or severed to the extent necessary.

The remaining provisions will continue in effect.

24. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms and Conditions, our educational programs, or your rights and responsibilities when using GIHTE Services, please contact us directly. 

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