Prosecuting sex trafficking in Canada: a comprehensive analysis of prosecution strategies and outcomes through case analysis

Using a case study method, this project addresses how sex trafficking is prosecuted in Canada. The case of R. v Dagg, 2015 ONSC 2463 is applied alongside worldwide academic literature, the Canadian Criminal Code, and protocol from Public Prosecution Services in order to gain an understanding of how sex trafficking is prosecuted in Canada and what barriers still exist. Additionally, protocol provided by the United Nations, and information from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Statistics Canada, and the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking are included to explore the prevalence and reality of sex trafficking in Canada. Overall, the study found that the Canadian Criminal Justice System has struggled to prosecute sex trafficking due to undertrained prosecutors, challenges with the Criminal Code, and struggles to collect reliable evidence. Recommendations to address these issues that were identified in the literature included specialized training for prosecutors concerning human trafficking and an increase in the quality and quantity of victim support to encourage more reliable evidence to enable more successful prosecutions of sex traffickers.