The Evolution of Canada’s First Pediatric Hospital Program Specializing in Child Sex Trafficking

Children exposed to sex trafficking experience adverse physical and mental health effects and corresponding complex health care needs. Trauma-informed pediatric health care, embedded in a systems of care framework, can help to improve the health and safety of child sex trafficking victims and survivors. Evidence-based specialty pediatric programs for child sex trafficking are currently lacking, resulting in some children being denied the quality of care needed to promote optimal health and healing. This practice perspective article describes the evolution of Canada’s first pediatric hospital-based program specializing in child sex trafficking, informed by a multisector community response protocol grounded in guiding principles and promising practices. We outline our innovative process of interdisciplinary program and protocol development, implementation, and evaluation and share our insights and lessons learned along the way. This offers a roadmap for other pediatric health care providers invested in building their capacity to respond effectively and ethically to child sex trafficking.