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"The best test of a civilised society is the way in which it treats its most vulnerable and weakest members."


Mahatma Gandhi







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REPORT: Voices for Dignity continued

• Section 210 of the Criminal Code (the bawdy-house provision) should be struck down in its entirety. By extension, s. 211 (which prohibits the transportation of anyone to a bawdy-house) should consequentially be repealed;

• Section 213 of the Criminal Code (the communicating provision) should be struck down in its entirety; and

• Section 212(1) and (3) of the Criminal Code (the procuring
provision) should be struck down, with the exception of the international trafficking prohibitions found in s. 212(1)(f) and (g), which are not addressed in this analysis.

Ending the criminalization of the sex work is an essential step toward reducing the harms experienced by sex workers.

However, the safety and well-being of sex workers will not be secured through criminal law reform alone. Affiants also proposed a number of important policy changes. They emphasized that sex workers lack access to fundamental benefits and services.

Poverty, inadequate housing, violence, poor health, addiction and law enforcement are major areas of concern. There is an urgent need for policy change in each of these areas as part of a comprehensive approach to improving the lives of sex workers and ensuring alternatives for those who wish to leave this occupation.

 
"The affiants call for a new approach to providing choice and safety for all sex workers that recognizes their fundamental Charter rights and prioritizes their opinions and experiences in future law and policy reform."

This report is unique in that the evidence and legal arguments are presented not to a court, but to the public and to parliament. The relief sought here is not a judicial remedy, but a strong call for systemic legal change.

The affiants call for a new approach to providing choice and safety for all sex workers that recognizes their fundamental Charter rights and
prioritizes their opinions and experiences in future law and
policy reform.

View affidavits and the full report (links to PDFs in sections)

Purchase the Full Report

Download the abridged version of the report [PDF 1,321 KB]

Purchase the Abridged Version



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Updated February 24, 2010

Pivot Legal Society, 678 Hastings St East, Vancouver, B.C. V6A 1R1 Canada, Tel. (+1) 604 255 9700