You’ve been through something no one should ever have to experience — and your perspective matters. This survey is a chance for you to speak as someone with lived experience: What would you tell someone building a recovery program for survivors? What helped you? What didn’t? What would you change or do differently?

Your answers will help inform a program and living space that best meets the needs of survivors — based on the voices of those who’ve been there.

If you are a survivor who has NOT attended a residential program, we invite you to participate in this survey.

If you want to enter the draw for one of three $50.00 Amazon cards and one $50.00 Netflix card, you can leave your name and email at the end of the survey.
Section 1: Your Experience as a Survivor

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* 1. Have you spent time in residential recovery program for survivors of human trafficking? If your answer is 'no' please do not complete the survey. You can take this one instead.

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* 2. How long were you in a residential recovery program?

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* 3. When you entered the program, what were the most important things you needed? (select all that apply)

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* 4. The first weeks are time for rest and recovery but what comes next?
Take a look at the statements below and using the up and down arrows, place them in order of importance as they relate to what you needed (or still need). Top is most important.

  1. How to manage finances (setting a budget etc).
  2. Support figuring out a career path or how to apply for jobs.
  3. Help to find resources to complete my education.
  4. Managing new relationships/friendships. How to talk about what happened to me.
  5. Moving forward when times get tough - where to get help?

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* 5. In your opinion what are the most important things a recovery program should offer survivors right away? (first days and week)

Section 2: What Worked and What Didn’t

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* 6. Looking back, what part(s) of your recovery program helped you the most? What made a real difference in your healing or your life?

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* 7. Were there parts of the program that felt unhelpful, harmful, or just didn’t meet your needs? Please explain.

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* 8. Did you feel safe and respected during your time in the program? Why or why not?

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* 9. What helped you feel a sense of trust, belonging, or community while you were there?

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* 10. Was there anything about the program that felt triggering or re-traumatizing for you?

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* 11. What do you wish the staff or program leaders had known or understood better about survivors like you?

Section 3: Building a Better Program — Survivor to Survivor

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* 12. If someone asked you how to build the best residential recovery program for survivors, what would you say? What must it include?

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* 13. What kind of staff qualities or training do you think are most important for people working in this kind of program?

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* 14. What would you change about the structure or rules to make them more survivor-friendly?

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* 15. What kind of support do survivors still need after they leave a program — and how could a program help prepare people for that?

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* 16. What would have made your transition out of the program easier or more successful?

Section 4: For Those Creating Change

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* 17. If you could speak directly to people designing or funding residential recovery programs in Canada, what would you tell them?

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* 18. Is there anything else you want to share that could help improve support for survivors?

Section 5: About You
These questions help us understand if certain experiences or identities are being underserved or overlooked in programs. You can skip any you don’t want to answer.

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* 19. Age Range

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* 20. Gender Identity

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* 21. Do you identify as any of the following?

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* 22. Have you experienced homelessness or unstable housing before or after the program?

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* 23. Would you like to participate in a focus group to provide more insight? If yes, please provide your name and email below.

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* 24. Would be interested in being part of a committee to develop a residential program?

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* 25. Please provide your name and email address if you want to be included in the draw for a gift card.

Thank you for participating in this important survey. If you did not attend a residential recovery program and want to share why/why not and what is important, please continue to this survey.
**please note that residential services for youth 12-15 yrs requires additional measures and considerations