Abstract Book of the 7th Global Conference on Women’s Studies
Year: 2025
[PDF]
A Canadian Cross-Sectional Survey of Service Providers’ Capacity to Respond to Sex Trafficked Persons
Janice Du Mont, Tonia Forte, S. Daisy Kosa, Sheila Macdonald, Robin Mason
ABSTRACT:
Sex trafficking is a complex human rights and public health issue, that overwhelmingly impacts women. We undertook a cross-sectional national survey to examine the extent of education and/or training on sex trafficking among providers working within community, social, or healthcare services and supports. We also explored the impact of education and/or training on providers’ capacity to respond to survivors’ needs. Capacity to respond, measured using a seven-point Likert scale, included being able to identify, interview, enhance the safety of, provide resources to, and collaborate with other professionals to support victims of sex trafficking, as well as recognize red flags associate with sex trafficking. The online survey was distributed via social media platforms and through professional associations and organizations across Canada. Five hundred and fifty-three service providers responded. Although most respondents (86.8%) reported having received some education and/or training on sex trafficking, the vast majority (94.8%) believed that they would benefit from more. Compared to those with no previous sex trafficking education and/or training, those who received up to 5 hours of education and/or training (β=3.56, p<0.0001), 5 to 15 hours (β=8.03, p<0.0001), and 16 or more hours (β=11.13, p<0.0001) reported higher overall capacity to respond appropriately to those sex trafficked; as the number of hours of education and/or training on sex trafficking increased, so did respondents’ capacity to respond. Further research is needed to evaluate what specific content, frequency, and mode of delivery of educational interventions are most effective at increasing knowledge and leading to sustained change for trafficked women.
Keywords: Canada; Capacity; Education; Service providers; Sex trafficking; Training