The Case for Decriminalization of Prostitution in Canada
Last Tuesday, three sex workers in Toronto filed a federal lawsuit calling for the decriminalization of prostitution. Why? To protect sex workers. And they need it. The Toronto Police Sexual Crimes Unit estimates that an average of four or five sex workers are assaulted every night, and maybe 2% of the cases come to their attention.
The current laws that are in place make prostitution legal, but it is mostly hypothetical. The three sex workers who are fighting the case are arguing that decriminalization will allow them to hire bodyguards, operate their own brothels, and meet clients in safer places than on the street.
Mr. Morris has the duty of arguing for the crown, and so far has said that the law that prevents sex workers from communicating with future clients in public is to “curb an unappetizing spectacle”. What I don’t understand is what he said about its impact on children: “It is directly tied to a concern about children being attracted into prostitution. That is what happens when an 11-year-old is exposed to the sale of sex and is potentially attracted to it.” It feels a little hypocritical. It is too disgusting for the public…but children will see it and want to be sex workers when they grow up? I doubt it.
Real Women of Canada, a conservative group that arguably reads like the case against feminism, are challenging the lawsuit. Their website article against decriminalization points out Mr. Young (arguing for decriminalization) was previously working to decriminalize marijuana. Oh, and they also claim that the reason he wants prostitution decriminalized is so that drug trafficking will be made easier through brothels. They also claim homosexual bathhouses will be decriminalized along with prostitution. (Tell me; is there something wrong with that statement?) There is a whisper of the sex workers own safety, but not in very practical terms. (They would be safer if they weren’t prostitutes! Thanks a bunch!)
If anyone knows the best solution, I am betting it is the sex workers themselves. And judging how the groups opposing it sit on other human and women’s rights issues, I would say its progress for women.
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Tags: prostitution, sex workers
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October 14th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Prostitution is not illegal. You would not say that the current laws make it legal for me to turn on a light bulb. But find me a law that says “and every citizen has the right to flick a switch in their own homes”. Prostitution is thus not barely legal, it is legal (I think you’re wording implies that you have a full grasp of the topic Jessi I am just aiming to be super clear). The unjust laws limiting the rights of those who partake in this legal activity do not come out and do the thing because it would be wrong to say “You may not sell your body/services in this specific manner” whereas the government (way to vote in 70% lawyers Canada) likes to dance around imposing immoral laws, achieving what it can without saying what it means. Through the silence of the law prostitution is legal. I hope this challenge moves us towards the recognition of people’s right to choose.
I think that the recognition of this right will lead to less muddied waters about who is choosing and who is being enslaved. There is a law on the book about that (slavery that is), just as their is about child prostitution. So let’s give consenting adults their due and let the REAL laws do their thing.
Nice article Jessi.