A study published in BMJ Open examined the impact of education and training on healthcare, social, and community service providers’ ability to respond to sex trafficking. Conducted through an anonymous online survey from February to August 2023, the research included responses from 553 providers across Canada.

Results indicated that while 86.8% of participants reported having some training on sex trafficking, an overwhelming 94.8% expressed a desire for additional education. The study measured respondents’ capacity to recognize and assist sex-trafficked individuals using a six-point Likert scale. Findings showed that those with more extensive training—less than 5 hours, 5-15 hours, and over 16 hours—demonstrated a significantly higher capacity to respond effectively compared to those with no training.

The study concluded that increased education and training correlate with improved ability to support sex-trafficked persons, emphasizing the necessity for enhanced training programs. This can help service providers better address the complex needs of these individuals and reduce negative outcomes associated with trafficking.