Voice Found is proud to announce the release of Nurturing Hope: A Peer Support Path for Trafficking Survivors, a major research report advancing understanding of peer support programming for survivors of human trafficking in Canada.
About the Research
Nurturing Hope was developed to address a significant gap in knowledge about how peer support can be effectively and ethically implemented within the anti-human trafficking sector.
Using a combination of academic literature and stakeholder consultations, the research draws on 49 literature sources and insights gathered through 44 consultations representing 34 organizations across Canada. This work brings together frontline realities, lived expertise, and evidence-informed practice to better understand how peer support can be safely integrated into services supporting survivors.
The report explores key areas including:
Perceptions of peer support within the anti-human trafficking sector
Benefits of peer support programming for survivors, peer supporters, and organizations
Challenges to implementing and sustaining peer support programs
Core components required for successful and ethical implementation
The research highlights the transformative impact of peer support in fostering hope, reducing isolation and stigma, and strengthening recovery pathways for survivors. It also identifies the structural supports required to ensure programs are safe, sustainable, and grounded in trauma-informed practices.
Calls to Action
In addition to documenting findings, the report outlines clear recommendations and calls to action for governments, organizations, and sector leaders.
These recommendations emphasize the need for:
Sustained and flexible funding for peer support programs
Clear role definitions and strong supervision structures
Accessible training and professional development
Policies that support safety, wellness, and long-term sustainability
Greater recognition of lived experience as an essential component of ethical service delivery
Together, these actions support the development of peer support programming that is both effective and safe for survivors and those providing support.
A Step Forward for the Sector
This research represents an important milestone in strengthening survivor-informed programming and building shared understanding across the sector. By bringing together research evidence, lived experience, and frontline insight, Nurturing Hope offers key insights to organizations seeking to implement or strengthen peer support programs in Canada.
Acknowledgements
Voice Found was honoured to partner with the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking, whose national expertise in research, data, and sector collaboration played a critical role in shaping this work.
This project was made possible through the generous support of Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE). Their investment reflects a commitment to strengthening survivor-informed responses and building sustainable, ethical support systems across the country.
Our sincere and heartfelt thank you to the steering committee who worked with us through three years on this project. Lived experience is at the core of our work, ensuring that survivor voices and expertise is central to the design of our programs and services.
