*The Centre recognizes that our shelter provider partners are constantly navigating the tensions of funding and capacity. The Centre continues to advocate at all levels of government for increased services and supports, particularly emergency, transitional, and long-term housing programs.
Issues of human trafficking and domestic violence are often interwoven, and identifying someone’s experience as one or the other is nearly impossible at times. Sex trafficking in Canada often happens in the context of an intimate relationship, for example, it is not uncommon for a trafficker to be a romantic partner or guardian. Similarly, labour trafficking has been known to occur within spousal or familial relationships. Because of these similarities, it is not surprising that some human trafficking victims and survivors might choose to access support via the more readily available domestic, intimate partner and family violence shelters. Furthermore, due to a lack of informed and reliable awareness and education about human trafficking, it is possible that victims and survivors will not self-identify as having experienced trafficking, causing other social service providers, particularly domestic, intimate partner and family violence shelters, to be the first point of entry into a system of support.
Accessibility, along with (a) a consistent 24/7 response; (b) refined security protocols; and (c) significant training to understand and respond to the complex impact that violence over a lifetime can have on individuals and their loved ones, has uniquely positioned these shelters to play an essential role in responding to human trafficking. Despite this, some shelters have voiced a reluctance to accept referrals for individuals who have been trafficked. They state clearly that they will not turn someone away in need of support; however, there is a perception that the needs of human trafficking victims and survivors are outside of the services scope and expertise. This could be for several reasons: services are often underfunded and are usually operating at capacity; shelter spaces are already trying to support individuals with varied experiences and service providers often face complex challenges adapting existing programming to the differing needs of service users; additionally, strict funding agreements often determine who can be served by each program. Yet, the challenge remains that people’s experiences rarely consist of clearly defined isolated incidents.
The good news is that advancements in service delivery processes over the last several years have allowed many organizations to focus on trauma-informed and person-centred care, culturally respectful and sensitive service delivery, harm reduction frameworks, and collaborative networks. These principals and practices are the foundational tools needed for supporting individuals who have been trafficked.
The Centre recognizes that some institutional policies may not be negotiable or flexible, and as with any trauma-informed approach, clear communication is essential. Below, is a chart with recommendations for continuing to strengthen the capacity of domestic, intimate partner and family violence shelters to respond to the needs of trafficking victims and survivors. The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline is available to help in navigating additional services and supports at 1-833-900-1010.
| Possible barriers for survivors of trafficking accessing shelter services | Possible organizational response(s): |
| Organizational mandates do not include human trafficking | As an organization, start to explore the intersections of various forms of violence, where there are similarities (e.g. power and control dynamics) and where there may be difference (e.g. multiple exploiters). Start to form a business case for more robust and meaningful inclusion of trafficking victims and survivors, and work to diversify funding agreements that are particularly narrow in scope. |
| Trafficking indicators are missed by staff during screening and intake | Very few victims and survivors of human trafficking will access support with the already clear understanding that their experience is human trafficking. However, through a narrative or in—take assessment, shelter staff may start to pick up on cues that the individual’s story may be trafficking, and from that point, more questions could be asked to fully understand the situation. This requires baseline training on human trafficking, and the below resources may be a helpful starting point: https://endindigenoustrafficking.com/http://helpingtraffickedpersons.org/B.C.’s Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons Consider starting with more extensive human trafficking training for one or two team members, these team members can consult and liaise with staff internal to the organization and coordinate external supports/services as potential cases of trafficking arise. The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline is also accessible by social services staff, to consult on possible trafficking indicators, safety plan and coordinate additional supports. |
| Required background and criminal record checks | Traffickers may force or convince someone they are trafficking to commit other crimes such as theft, drug associated crimes, or even recruiting other individuals into human trafficking. This is part of the exploitation process and a trafficker may use this tactic to maintain power and control, knowing that individuals may not have access to other services and supports if/when they try to leave. If requiring record checks, ensure clarity about the reason for, what the implications of certain criminal charges are and have a plan in place for alternative accommodations should there be significant criminal history (e.g. single rooms, partnering legal services, safety plans with the individual and shelter staff) |
| The expectation that survivors name their abuser | Naming their abuser can be incredibly fear-inducing for some victims and survivors of trafficking. There may be a history of threats made against them and their loved ones should a victim disclose their exploitation. Additionally, there is the potential that there were multiple exploiters/abusers. If the question is essential, explain what is done with the name given and allow the individual space/time to answer. |
| Mandatory program requirements | This can be challenging as trauma informed practice places importance on both consistency and routine and on individualized approaches to service. As organizations continue to receive training and understand the issue of trafficking, staff can begin to dialogue with survivors about their experiences, and ways the programming they are participating in could be negatively or positively affecting them. Offering information and choice to program participants has the potential to improve both service delivery and service experience. |
| The expectation that people leave the shelter during certain hours | When in the community, some survivors may feel an intense fear of encountering traffickers, past buyers, or other people who may have been trafficked alongside them. There is also the risk of having PTSD responses to their trauma at any time, and people may experience a lack of support in these moments if outside of the shelter. Try a Progressive or sequential approach to supporting a survivor as they build confidence to do independent community time. Consider also discussing safety plans (physical and emotional) before individuals access the community independently. |
| Identification requirements | Victims and survivors may not have ID on them, due to traffickers withholding identification or because they left with very little pre-planning. Have a process in place for supporting individuals to access new identification. |
| Tensions between program participants with differing experiences and stigma towards sex trafficking and involvement in the sex industry | Conflict is inevitable. Work with both program participants and staff to provide psychoeducation to understand their own biases and stress responses, and learn about the intersections of individual experiences. |
| Gendered requirements | Trafficking can happen to individuals of any gender identity. Despite being very well positioned to respond to human trafficking, the majority of shelters work strictly with cis-gendered women, while some also accept transgendered women. Cis-men, trans-men and gender non-conforming individuals may be sheltered in hotels or other units, but often lack the wraparound supports which make domestic, intimate partner, and family violence shelters so special. Consider advocating for holistic services regardless of gender identity – through enhanced outreach programming, non-gendered shelter spaces, or specially designated shelters for populations not currently served. |
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