Our Research

As part our mission to improve the lives of women, girls, Two Spirit, and gender diverse people, YWCA Halifax is committed to conducting meaningful, intersectional research to shed light on pressing issues of gender justice and promote action.

Some key topics you will find in our research below include: sexual exploitation and human trafficking, intimate partner violence, the importance of safe housing, and workplace safety for women and gender diverse people.

YWCA Halifax Research

Hearing Them: Sex Work and Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking in Nova Scotia
A five-part paper series that works to understand, address, and prevent risk factors for the involvement of children and youth in the sex industry in Nova Scotia. Research is based on wide scale consultations that took place with 149 adults with past or present lived experience in the sex industry…
My Voice Matters: Impact of Emergency Funds for Gender-based Violence Survivors
YWCA Halifax provides emergency funds for women escaping violence across Nova Scotia. The My Voice Matters project with Be the Peace Institute interviewed 30 fund recipients to gather their perspectives on best practices and needed reforms to best support survivors of gender-based violence…
Home for Good: Research Report
Published in 2018, The Home for Good project is a three-year collaboration between four organizations who serve women experiencing housing insecurity. This report highlights how gender affects women’s efforts to move from supportive housing to market or public housing. We demonstrate how concerns such as finances and safety are inherently gendered. The barriers to achieving housing security are gendered but the system designed to provide housing are not designed as such…
Safe Landing: Housing and Aftercare for People Exiting the Sex Trade
Safe Landing is a three-year research project from 2016 to 2019 that worked to consult with communities impacted by Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking, research existing safe housing programs, offer training to service providers, and develop educational and awareness materials on Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking…