Publishing a report for Justice Canada on behalf of Voice Found
Finding Our Voices
A qualitative study of human sex trafficking survivors’ from entrance to exit
Voice Found
Context
Voice Found is an Ottawa-based charity that serves individuals who may be at risk of, who have been, or who are being trafficked for sex. I authored a report detailing the lives of twenty-two (22) survivors of sex trafficking at the time of first being trafficked, during trafficking, as they exited, and after exiting.
Justice Canada funded organizations across Canada delivering support services to sex workers and sought community-based research to increase understanding of why people become involved in the sex trade and why they did or did not want to attempt to exit it.
Although Voice Found received this funding, human sex trafficking differs greatly from sex work. I was entrusted to amplify and honour the lived experiences of these survivors, and to highlight the unique nature of sex trafficking survivors within the broader category of sex work.
I conducted a thematic analysis of the data and wove the themes into a chronological story. The larger patterns that emerged from the survivor accounts became the basis of the key findings, from which I provided expert analysis of the main drivers of human trafficking. The report was written with accessibility in mind, keeping the structure, language, and findings jargon free to remain open to a wide audience. I worked closely with the Justice Canada Research Team to ensure that this population was treated with the nuance required. Research questions were adjusted to align with trafficking survivors as opposed to the broader category of sex workers.
At a glance
Key Insights
Finding Our Voices: Lived experiences in human trafficking is available on the Government of Canada website.
Challenge
How to provide relevant and accurate qualitative data to policy makers about the unique experiences of sex-trafficking survivors while honouring their safety and their voices?
Approach
I conducted a thematic analysis of the data and wove the themes into a chronological story, from which clear patterns emerged. The report was written with accessibility in mind, keeping the findings open to a wide audience. I ensured the Justice Canada Research Team treated this population with the nuance required.
Outcome
The survivors included in the study were enthusiastic about contributing to a project that could provide greater insight into a world largely unfamiliar to Canadian policymakers and possibly shape Canadian legislation for the better. These survivors repeatedly returned to the importance of education about sex trafficking at every level to prevent further victimisation. Through the Director of Anti-Human Trafficking, I heard that some of the survivors read the report and were pleased at my respectful and honest representation of their experiences.
My Impact
I was entrusted to balance Justice Canada’s objectives to better understand sex work while respecting the work and clientele of Voice Found. I was able to provide a unique mix of skill and experience to Voice Found to analyze the qualitative data and craft a coherent and compassionate story that was respectful of the survivor’s personal stories.
Impact
“These are the voices that need to be heard and while some progress has been made, we still have a long way to go. I am hopeful that this research will aid many as they look at the issue, make decisions on how to best support the successful exit of those who've been trafficked, and help them to move forward with their lives.”
- Cynthia Bland, Founder & CEO Voice Found
