An online survey is looking to gauge the community’s knowledge and perceptions of human trafficking.
The survey, which is being conducted by Victim Service Leeds & Grenville, comes following a recent funding announcement for the organization for a new program to support victims and survivors.
The Shine Project is a community based program that draws on survivor feedback and expertise, while trying to provide longer-term healing opportunities.
Public Education Coordinator with Victim Services Katie Forrester says before the program can be put in place, they want to hear from residents about what they already know about human trafficking, and what they would like to know.
“This survey is going to inform how we design this project in the community, particularly the education component to make our community more aware of the issue of human trafficking in Leeds and Grenville,” Forrester said.
The program is meant to be an alternative or supplementary to residential treatment to ensure longer term success and connection to a survivor’s community.
Forrester says to date, two peer support workers, a program consultant and a public education coordinator have been hired to facilitate the program.
“We’re developing a program that will help keep survivors in their community, where they’re connected to their families, to their network, and to their social supports,” Forrester said.
The survey is 10 questions in length and is estimated to take 3 minutes to complete.
It will be available until the end of May.
To take the survey, you can head here.