Should Canada Legalize Sex Work?
May 31, 2011 9 Comments
Sex work could well become legal in Canada in the next month if an Ontario Supreme Court ruling that struck down laws against brothels is upheld.
In the hope of gathering support for that legalization, sex workers united in Halifax at a conference to discuss the many ways regulation would help their working conditions.
The main concern for sex workers is safety on the job. Currently, crimes against sex workers are being ignored, according to Rene Ross, the executive director of Stepping Stone, a support and advocacy group that has been working with former and active sex-trade workers since 1985.
“We’ve actually lost a couple of women this year who we work with and most of the city doesn’t even know that happened,” she said.
Prostitutes and other sex workers are seen as less worthy of protection because of their trade, even though they are forced into the most dangerous situations and Canadian activists want that to end.
“We are tired of the fact that we read headlines like, ‘Hooker and a woman killed.’ Unless that hooker was male, there were two women involved there,” Joanne, a sex worker present at the conference said.
Legalization, which will be discussed over a few days in June, would mean access to a safe environment for these sex workers. The government is still a little reluctant, but many lives depend on it.
Sex work is often called the oldest job in the world. If it’s been there this long, it’s not going away. Might as well legalize it.
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I think it should be legal, It should be taxed and regulated like in Amsterdam…
Yes! If it is going on, it should be legal and regulated. Enough denial.
Playing devil’s advocate here. Apparently legalizing sex work in Amsterdam has lead to an underground economy of even more hard-core, and illegal, sex practices. Also does Canada want to be the prime party destination for stag parties? Most countries who’ve tried it find that the money is not worth it.
But prostitution will never go away, We need to make it safer for all involved.. Mandatory STD tests… In call houses so there are not as many women on the streets, Drug/Alcohol counseling and health benefits .. Sex will always be in demand why can’t we keep all parties involved safe
For me what it comes down to is that the government shouldn’t regulate harmless interaction between adults.
One reason some in the industry don’t want it legalized is that this would help stop child prostitution and also give more control to the sex workers themselves (and less to the criminal organizations that often make a profit off of them).
Yes exactly!! It should be run like any other business
Agree with Kim. If money is changing hands, it is a business transaction, it needs to be legalized and regulated. What revenue it will or won’t generate for the economy is irrelevant. Legalizing it will give legal protection to those engaged in it – both both workers and client.
Rock and a hard place here, i’m afraid!! But i agree, legalisation would allow better protection for those involved. A regulated, legal industry may cut down on underground trafficking and sale of women and perhaps actually put the power in the hands of women (perhaps!!). I do not support the sale of sex, in any form, but i think those who do it should be protected and offered support.
YES. It helps the workers stay safe, gives the clients some choice about the safety of the venue they choose. Dont beleive that legalising sex work encourages harder porn.. thats already there, always be.. As will the other afformentioned problems.. At least if its regulated the girls (and boys) arent arrested and fined for plying trade in authorised venues.