Conclusion

The MAPI organizations have provided critical insights into the experiences of their clients who often require multiple resources and supports such as housing, health care and counselling. Many MAPI clients require educational programs to build social, life and coping skills that they were not able to develop due to the isolating nature of the sex trade. Cultural support programs for Indigenous peoples were highlighted in the case notes as being critical for the well-being of Indigenous clients.

At the beginning of the MAPI program, the proportion of clients seeking support to exit the sex trade was over 80%. About 20% of clients were recorded as having exited and 5% remained involved with the sex trade by the end of the MAPI program. Over 70% of individual case notes did not specify what the client’s status was in the sex trade.

Some MAPI clients were also able to achieve their other goals such as accessing safe housing, regaining custody of their children, and dealing with addictions and mental health issues, but these were not large proportions among those who had originally requested support for these issues.

About 18% of MAPI clients either left the program, stopped communicating with staff or were discharged. Case notes indicated that clients who were discharged by the MAPI organizations had exhibited violent behaviours and/or really struggled with their addictions (for example, consistent drug use). Some MAPI clients felt the program was not a fit for their needs and chose to self-discharge.

In conclusion, the MAPI dataset provided important insights into some of the socio-demographic characteristics and experiences of people who provide sexual services in Canada. This information will be useful for programs and service delivery. There are still some data gaps to be filled,22 for example the long-term impacts of the sex trade, as well as the services and supports people who provide sexual services are looking for.

Footnotes

22 Any research directly with providers of sexual services needs to protect their safety and well-being by providing appropriate protections for privacy and confidentiality as well as proper supports, such as mental health professionals to reduce the risk of re-traumatization.