Legalizing Prostitution In Canada

Canada is a nation renown as a liberal-leaning, forward nation; promoting the advancement of women in all parts of the world. However, it is a nation guilty of punishing women for the circumstances in which they find themselves with laws showing an antiquated view on the issue of prostitution—one that prosecutes sex workers instead of those who take advantage of women’s situations and buy sexual services. BY examining the origins of current-day laws concerning prostitution in Canada and looking at European legislation as well as its successes and failures made it is possible to find a middle ground that will suit Canada should it ever decide to change its laws concerning prostitution.

Additional prohibitions are placed on any advertising for sexual services which include newspapers, online, or other forms of media (Department of Justice Canada, 2014). This policy is greatly influenced by the Swedish Model argues that it is society’s responsibility to outlaw the purchase of sexual services on the understanding that ‘women are vulnerable’ and sex trade is never a choice (Cosh, 2014). Mainly, the new prohibitions will be supported by $20 million in new funding, with an emphasis on programs that can help individuals exit prostitution.

As part of McGill’s Community Engagement Day, I went on a walking tour of Montréal’s historical Red Light District presented by Karen Herland, professor and specialist in the history of prostitution. Her historical analysis (personal communication, October 2, 2015) of the neighbourhood gave great insights on morality and legislation issues regarding sex work, specifically about the relationship between authorities and prostitution as well as some of the impacts that these laws and other attitudes that regulate sex work have on women. Her astute reports lead us to the following proposition: the dynamics between authorities and sex work indicates that under the guise of “morality”, the laws in place and their application did not actually oppose sex work, they rather worked to limit women’s emancipation.

Canadian prostitution, the practice of exchanging money for sexual services” (Shaver, 2011) originally started in the 1800’s, and has never been an illegal act Canada. However, the dangers of the job, and safety risks these women are exposed to have always been prevalent on Canadian streets. The most common form of prostitution when the trade was established was off street prostitution. This can be defined as, “Prostitution that is issued out of escort agencies, massage parlours, private residences, brothels, bars, clubs, trick pads and bathhouses” (“Fact Sheet,” n.d.). [Correct Citation?]This industry thrived for decades with little no to police presence as the newly created transcontinental railways transported large masses of single men to the west coast. However, in 1890, new legal constrains, which were now enforced, made operating brothers a challenge and forced street prostitution to become more common, “street prostitution is a form of prostitution in which a sex worker solicits customers from a public place, most commonly a street, while waiting at street corners or walking alongside a street, but also other public places such as parks, benches, etc. The street prostitute is often dressed in a provocative manner.” (Shaver, 2011). When the number of women working the streets increased, the safety level decreased. In order to expand one’s knowledge on the dangers of female street prostitution, one must fully comprehend the differences between the two forms of

Prostitution is considered as a control of taking part in sexual exercises with somebody for cash. In Canada, it is lawful to offer sexual administrations yet it is considered as a wrongdoing to purchase sexual administrations from others. When we talk about prostitution it is important to consider that which type of women is engaging in sexual activities for money. It is considered that the more than half of the women doing sex work is due to the sexual abuse during their childhood. Some of them are resulted from homelessness. Child abuse is considered as the

Bill C-36: Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act is a response to the December, 2013 Supreme Court decision in Attorney General of Canada vs. Bedford. The Act was introduced in the House of Commons on June 4th, 2013 and passed in the House of Commons on October 6, 2014 by a 156-124 vote. It will now be considered in the Senate. Bill C-36 attempts to take the Nordic model approach, penalizing paying for sex while decriminalizing the sale of sex. This paper will present a review of Bill C-36, the importance of decriminalizing prostitution and insight into the ways that I intend to influence it as a social worker.

In Canadian law, buying or selling sexual services within Canada is considered legal. However, this controversial topic has raised discussions between people because of the possibilities of illegal activities inside the world of prostitution. From reading the newspapers to hearing it on the television, we know nothing good ever comes out of prostitution because of the exposure to the risky businesses and dangerous people. Prostitutes engages in a number of dangerous harmful activities such as taking drugs, rape, emotional and physical abuse, and the worst case scenario is death. In this thesis paper, I’ll be discussing the main points and arguments as to why prostitution should have been illegal to begin with and why Canada should

Decreasing violence and promoting safety is one of the many positive outcomes from legalizing prostitution. Engaging in conversation about the purchase of sex is illegal in Canada. Because of this, Meaghan (2002) argues that prostitutes are forced to work in unsafe locations away from police surveillance, rushing negotiations and not being able to make an safe decision about their client. Seals (2015), found prostitutes are fearful of legal recourse when they are victimized. Legalization would give prostitutes the same protection as the general public and would be able to press charges accordingly. Providing a registered place of business for licensing also limits instances of violence. Seib, C., Dunne, M. P., Fischer, J., & Najman, J. M. (2010), found that prostitutes who worked in regulated brothels were healthier and safer than prostitutes who worked in non-regulated brothels or on the streets. “Elaborate safety measures (panic buttons, listening devices, and management surveillance) allow managers to respond to unruly or violent customers quickly and effectively” (Weitzer, 2006, p. 35). This also would help limit the chance of Human sex trafficking as businesses would be consistently checked and positive relationships with law enforcement would be made.

First, I will discuss what aspects of the law have been changed in Canada and what this means for prostitutes and their clients. I will then further discuss the points that adults can consent to sex and that the government has no right to completely ban consensual sex involving financial transactions between adults. In addition, individuals should be free to do what they want in regard to their own bodies and should be able to decide with whom they want to

All the activities made illegal regarding prostitution In Canada make it difficult for this to be recognized as a proper profession to make a living off legally, although legal it can be seen that Canadian society does not want to associate itself with prostitution choosing to brush it off the shoulder and allow it to exist minimally. In Canada it has long been debated the role the criminal code plays in regulating and controlling prostitution. The diversified opinions of Canadians over prostitution have been made visible through constitutional court challenges as well as government and parliamentary reviews dating and scanning back the past three decades.(Insert citation) This led to a supreme court decision which called the laws surrounding prostitution unconstitutional and the government was given the task to replace these laws with a time span of one year. The Canadian government responded to this with bill c-36 which was introduced by Justice Minister Peter Mackay on June 4th 2014. Bill c-36 will criminalize the purchase of sexual services thus making prostitution an illegal activity for the first time in Canada's history as a country. This new piece of legislation will considerably change the manner in which the criminal code addresses prostitution and

Sex work is a very controversial topic and many individuals are passionate about what they believe. Regardless of the moral arguments, beliefs and disbeliefs, every person in Canada owns the right to have their human rights as well as their health respected one hundred percent. The Courts of Canada have focused on the precise question of whether or not Canada's current laws abide by the Constitution and serve to protect the human rights of the persons engaging in sex work.

Sex work should never become legal since there is no such legal job in Canada that

Furthermore, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the previous sections of the prostitution laws in the Criminal Code in 2013, which occurred in the decision of the Attorney General of Canada v. Bedford case. The previous laws: living off the avails of prostitution, the ban on brothels and having public communication with clients, were deemed as an infringement to Section 7 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. These laws are deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court as it infringes on sex worker’s Section 7 rights, which is entrenched in the Charter. Hence, the Conservative government that are now out of power, put into effect Bill C-36, The Protection of Communities and Exploitation Act, which received Royal Assent. This new Bill amends

Prostitution has been around as long as human beings have engaged in sexual activities, and it is even touted as the world’s oldest profession. Despite these proclamations, the subject of prostitution continues to spark controversy in the United States in moderns times as it is a hot debate topic. Off and on, throughout the years, various states around the country have proposed that the practice should be decriminalized; however, it remains illegal nationwide, except for a few counties in Nevada. The reasons for this stem from both sides of the argument, as anti-prostitution advocates claim decriminalization of prostitution is immoral and sexually exploitative, while pro-prostitution advocates want to keep the government out of the bedrooms of consenting adults. No matter the stance for or against prostitution, the current legal construction surrounding it is undeniably harmful. Regardless of the arguments against prostitutes, it is time to decriminalize the laws against this practice to protect the rights of sex workers.

The Sex Industry may need to look at New Zeeland’s example, where the sex workers can rent a home to do their business. It's a safer solution and provides a safer environment for the industry. This simple change may help reduce crime. Law makers should involve the sex workers to achieve better and safer laws to protect them and the whole Sex Industry. “If they didn't search for the girls, there wouldn't be any girls.” (Where is Justice?) No matter what the solution may be, this industry has been around for thousands of years and the desire for unlawful sex and prostitution will most likely not diminish in the near