Evidence-Informed. Data-Driven. Community-Focused.
At PRAI, research is not an academic exercise — it is a tool for justice. Our Research & Intelligence function drives evidence-informed decision making across all our programs, advocacy, and prevention work.
Research as a Tool for Justice
PRAI's Research & Intelligence function is embedded across all our programs and advocacy work — ensuring that every initiative is grounded in evidence, responsive to community needs, and capable of demonstrating measurable impact.
We conduct and synthesize research to identify trends, understand community needs, and develop targeted prevention and advocacy strategies. Our research informs educational resources, strengthens advocacy positions, and contributes to systemic improvements that protect vulnerable individuals and prevent exploitation.
As PRAI grows, we are committed to establishing formal research partnerships with academic institutions, government agencies, and community organizations — building a robust evidence base that positions PRAI as a national leader in knowledge generation and translation in the fields of exploitation, trafficking, and trauma.
Our research is always conducted with the highest ethical standards — prioritizing the safety, dignity, and agency of research participants, and ensuring that findings are used to benefit the communities from which they are drawn.
Survivor-Centered
Research is designed to benefit survivors — not simply to study them. Survivor voices and experiences are centred throughout the research process.
Trauma-Informed
All research design, data collection, and dissemination practices reflect a deep understanding of trauma and its impacts on individuals and communities.
Community-Grounded
Research questions, methodologies, and findings are developed in partnership with the communities most affected — ensuring relevance, accuracy, and trust.
Action-Oriented
Research is conducted with a clear commitment to translation — findings are designed to inform practice, policy, and program development, not simply to generate knowledge.
Ethically Rigorous
All research adheres to the highest ethical standards, including informed consent, confidentiality, voluntary participation, and independent oversight.
Research Pillars
Our research spans six interconnected areas, each contributing to a comprehensive, evidence-informed understanding of exploitation, trauma, and effective response.
Community-Based Research
Participatory research that centres the experiences, knowledge, and insights of affected communities. We believe that those closest to the issue hold critical expertise — our research models reflect that conviction.
Examples
- Survivor experience documentation
- Community needs assessments
- Service gap analysis
- Participatory action research
Trend Analysis & Reporting
Ongoing monitoring and analysis of emerging trends in human trafficking, exploitation, and trauma — enabling PRAI and its partners to anticipate shifts, identify emerging risks, and develop proactive, evidence-informed responses.
Examples
- Regional trafficking trend reports
- Exploitation pattern analysis
- Emerging risk identification
- Comparative jurisdictional analysis
Needs Assessments & Gap Analysis
Systematic assessments of community needs and service gaps that guide program development, resource allocation, and advocacy priorities — ensuring PRAI's work is always grounded in real, documented community realities.
Examples
- Service landscape mapping
- Survivor needs documentation
- System capacity assessments
- Resource and funding gap analysis
Prevention Strategy Development
Evidence-informed development of prevention strategies grounded in research on risk factors, protective factors, and effective interventions — translating knowledge into actionable programs that reduce vulnerability.
Examples
- Risk and protective factor research
- Prevention program evaluation
- Early intervention model development
- Vulnerability mapping
Literature Review & Synthesis
Comprehensive review and synthesis of existing research to identify best practices, evidence gaps, and opportunities for innovation — ensuring PRAI's programs and advocacy are built on the strongest available evidence base.
Examples
- Systematic literature reviews
- Best practice identification
- Evidence gap mapping
- Knowledge translation briefs
Policy Research & Recommendations
Rigorous policy research that translates evidence into actionable recommendations for government, institutions, and community organizations — positioning PRAI as a credible, evidence-driven voice in national policy conversations.
Examples
- Policy analysis and review
- Legislative recommendations
- Regulatory impact assessments
- Government submission preparation
How Research Drives Our Work
Research is not siloed at PRAI — it is woven into every program, every advocacy position, and every partnership we build.
Survivor Advocacy
Research findings directly inform our advocacy approaches, ensuring support strategies reflect the documented needs and experiences of survivors.
Educational Programs
Community education curricula are built on evidence-based content, ensuring accuracy, relevance, and effectiveness in every program we deliver.
Prevention Initiatives
Prevention strategies are grounded in research on risk factors, protective factors, and proven intervention models — maximizing impact and minimizing harm.
Systems Advocacy
Our policy positions and advocacy submissions are backed by rigorous research, lending credibility and persuasive power to our calls for systemic change.
Partnership Development
Research identifies service gaps and coordination opportunities, guiding PRAI's strategic partnership development for maximum collective impact.
Organizational Learning
Internal research and evaluation practices ensure PRAI continuously learns, adapts, and improves — building an organization that gets better over time.
Ethical Research Practice is Non-Negotiable
Research involving survivors of exploitation and trauma carries profound ethical responsibilities. At PRAI, ethical research practice is not a compliance requirement — it is a core expression of our values and our commitment to the dignity and safety of every individual we serve.
All PRAI research is designed and conducted in accordance with established ethical frameworks for trauma-informed, community-based research. We are committed to ensuring that participation in research is always voluntary, informed, and genuinely beneficial to participants and their communities.
As our research capacity grows, PRAI will establish a formal Research Ethics framework and seek independent ethical oversight for all research initiatives involving human participants.
Our Ethical Commitments
- Trauma-informed research design and data collection
- Informed consent and voluntary participation
- Confidentiality and data protection
- Survivor safety as the primary consideration
- Community benefit as a core research objective
- Transparency in methodology and findings
- Equitable representation and cultural responsiveness
- Ethical review and independent oversight
Partner With Us on Research
PRAI actively seeks research collaborations with academic institutions, government agencies, community organizations, and independent researchers who share our commitment to evidence-informed advocacy and survivor-centered practice.
Academic Partnerships
Formal research partnerships with universities and colleges — including joint grant applications, data sharing agreements, student practicum placements, and co-authored publications.
Government Research Collaboration
Collaborative research with federal, provincial, and municipal government agencies to inform policy development and improve systemic responses to exploitation and trauma.
Community Organization Partnerships
Joint research initiatives with frontline service organizations, community groups, and advocacy organizations — combining PRAI's research capacity with partners' community access and expertise.
Independent Researcher Engagement
Engagement with independent researchers, consultants, and subject matter experts whose work aligns with PRAI's research priorities and mission.
Student & Practicum Placements
Supervised research placements for graduate and undergraduate students in social work, criminology, public policy, and related fields — building the next generation of researchers in this space.
International Research Networks
Participation in international research networks and knowledge-sharing initiatives to bring global best practices and evidence to Canadian contexts.
Interested in Collaborating?
We welcome research collaboration proposals from organizations and individuals whose work aligns with PRAI's mission. Reach out to discuss how we can work together to advance knowledge and create meaningful change.
Building Our Research Capacity
PRAI is currently in its pilot phase, focused on building the foundational infrastructure for our research function. During this period, we are conducting initial needs assessments, establishing research partnerships, and developing the ethical frameworks and operational systems that will underpin all future research initiatives.
As our capacity grows, PRAI will publish research reports, policy briefs, and educational resources that contribute to the national knowledge base on exploitation, trafficking, and trauma. We invite researchers, practitioners, and community members to connect with us now to shape the direction of this work.
Connect with our research teamSupport Evidence-Informed Advocacy
Your support enables PRAI to invest in the research that drives better outcomes for survivors, stronger prevention programs, and more effective systems advocacy.