Most recent articles on prostitution related laws, opinions, comments

[GPIDEAL]

They are criminalized if the financial benefit was obtained ''in the context of a commercial enterprise''. It does not mean that the 3rd party have to be a commercial business themselves. This refers to the sex worker: is her setup a commercial enterprise.

Suppose I am a security guard working far an indy escort and the police somehow interpret that her business is a commercial enterprise. My money was obtained in the context of that commercial enterprise, so 286.2 (4) (c) does not apply to me, according to 286.2 (5).

This is my understanding at least.

Shoot. I see that commercial enterprise is the exception to the exceptions! I agree with you now. This is fucked! This detracts from the SCC decision that escorts should be able to hire bodyguards.

 

[Siocnarf]

Shoot. I see that commercial enterprise is the exception to the exceptions! I agree with you now. This is fucked! This detracts from the SCC decision that escorts should be able to hire bodyguards.

Yes, when the Canadian Bar Association gave their testimony this one of the section that was most obviously a problem. The sneaky part is that it is at least nominally possible for them to hire help. It is not an outright criminalization of 3rd party like the old laws and it is vague and confusing enough that they can claim that it allows for safety measure. However it is impossible for workers to know if they will be captured by this law or not. This can make it hard for sex workers to convince law-abiding people to work for them.

 

[GPIDEAL]

Yes, when the Canadian Bar Association gave their testimony this one of the section that was most obviously a problem. The sneaky part is that it is at least nominally possible for them to hire help. It is not an outright criminalization of 3rd party like the old laws and it is vague and confusing enough that they can claim that it allows for safety measure. However it is impossible for workers to know if they will be captured by this law or not. This can make it hard for sex workers to convince law-abiding people to work for them.

How nominally possible? You said that a sex worker can be considered a commercial enterprise if she hires her own security guard. Are you sure about that latter? (I'm too lazy to pour over the statute, lol).

 

[Siocnarf]

How nominally possible? You said that a sex worker can be considered a commercial enterprise if she hires her own security guard. Are you sure about that latter? (I'm too lazy to pour over the statute, lol).

I meant it's sort of allowed in principle, so long as it's not a commercial enterprise. It's not the fact that she hires a bodyguard that makes it a commercial enterprise. Rather it's things like the scope of her operation, the level of organization, etc. The more organized her ''business'' is, the more likely it is to be considered a commercial enterprise. I suggest reading this brief from the CBA, it has a good analysis of this sections, starting on page 13 (actually page 17 of the PDF)
http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/SEN/Committee/412/lcjc/Briefs/C-36/C-36_brief_CBA_E.pdf

In summary, the more organized a worker is and the more employees she has to ensure her safety, the more her setup is likely to be considered a ''commercial enterprise''. So, the safer she is, the higher the risk of getting her business shut down.

 

[MPAsquared]

Bedford urges Wynne, Tory not to enforce new anti-prostitution law - with video

Stephen Maher
Published: November 14, 2014, 7:19 pm

http://o.canada.com/news/bedford-urges-wynne-tory-not-to-enforce-new-anti-prostitution-law

Terri-Jean Bedford called on Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Toronto Mayor John Tory to refuse to enforce the federal government’s new anti-prostitution laws as she prepared to accept an award honouring her 20 years of fighting for sex workers’ rights.

Bedford, a retired dominatrix, received the second annual Ontario Civil Liberties Association award in Ottawa on Friday, a tribute to her key role in a court battle that last year struck down the country’s prostitution laws.

In response, the Conservative government has brought in a new law — Bill C-36 — that puts the legal onus on clients, rather than sex workers, with the goal of shutting down an industry that the government describes as inherently degrading and destructive to women.

Bedford and other sex workers say the new law, which passed the Senate earlier this month, will keep the industry underground, where workers can’t get legal protection.

“The new law is worse than the old law,” she said Friday. “It’s so unconstitutional that it can’t be enforced. It would be criminal for any government to enforce this law.”

Bedford said she wants Wynne and Tory to protect the lives of sex workers by instructing Crown prosecutors and police not to enforce it.

“I think it’s really important to test the integrity of our premier and our new mayor, John Tory,” she said. “Do they want to continue to see women sacrificed?”

She said Wynne, who is a lesbian, should sympathize with the plight of sex workers.

“Premier Wynne, for example, knows all about gay bashing,” said Bedford. “It used to be a sport on a Saturday evening for the good old boys. And the sex-trade workers, and the gay sex-trade workers alike fought side by side with the gay rights activists, and won, so I think it’s only fair that Premier Wynne show us what she’s made of.”

“John Tory is a conservative,” she said. “I hope that he’s able to play by the party rules. From what I understand, the party doesn’t like to get involved in consenting adult behaviour. They’re right to leave that to the adults.”

Bedford said she was moved to receive the recognition for her decades of work, and said she wanted to give it to supporters who have worked quietly to help her.

“There are a dozen supporters of mine who deserve this honour,” she said. “They’re the unsung heroes behind my crusade, my cause. And I’ll probably pass this award to them because they deserve it.”

Bedford, who operated a bondage dungeon in Thornhill, Ont., until it was shut down by police in 1994, challenged Canada’s prostitution laws in court, leading to last year’s landmark Supreme Court decision finding the laws were unconstitutional.

She last made headlines when she appeared at a Senate committee hearing in September, in her trademark leather.

Bedford was ejected from the hearing after she threatened to name politicians who employ sex workers.

“If this law passes I’m going to make you guys forget about Mike Duffy, because I’ve got more information and more proof on politicians in this country than you can shake a stick at, I promise,” she said, smacking the table with her riding crop.

She has since consulted with sex work activists about that decision, receiving mixed messages from them.

On Friday, she wouldn’t say whether she still plans to name names.

“They’re going to have to wait and see about that,” she said.

Bedford is struggling to cope with hepatitis C, which sometimes makes it difficult for her to express her ideas clearly in interviews.

She said she is glad that others can take on her fight.

“The activists are going to take the reins from here on in and make the politicians accountable for their actions,” she said. “The activists are what are important now, and the fact that I try to get well.”

smaher@postmedia.com
@stphnmaher

This woman amazes me . Awarded for her passion, condemned by government. She inspires me. Always follow your heart.

 

[MattRoxx]

This woman amazes me . Awarded for her passion, condemned by government. She inspires me. Always follow your heart.

Yes.
I hope that when this absurd legislation is used to attempt to prosecute clients one of them also stands up and fights back.

 

[krazyplayer]

They should have given all 3 of the women who fought against our unconstitutional prostitution laws the award.
Thank you to Valerie Scott and Amy Lebovitch!

 

[freedom3]

This woman amazes me . Awarded for her passion, condemned by government. She inspires me. Always follow your heart.

So you think she has helped the industry? We're better off because of her? That's not how I see it.

 

[MPAsquared]

So you think she has helped the industry? We're better off because of her? That's not how I see it.

That is your penis talking. If you were a sex worker, you would understand why these brave women stood up for themselves. When they started their fight, there was no telling which nutbar would be running Canada. This fight isn't over! This is just 1 phase in a much bigger picture. Sex workers deserve the same rights as every other canadian. And THAT is why they fought! Brave-r than any of us! Face-forward, against the grain, public, and committed. I deeply admire anyone who risks anything to fight for what they believe in!

 

[AK-47]

That is your penis talking. If you were a sex worker, you would understand why these brave women stood up for themselves. When they started their fight, there was no telling which nutbar would be running Canada. This fight isn't over! This is just 1 phase in a much bigger picture. Sex workers deserve the same rights as every other canadian. And THAT is why they fought! Brave-r than any of us! Face-forward, against the grain, public, and committed. I deeply admire anyone who risks anything to fight for what they believe in!

Or she couldve left well enough alone. The dangers to sex workers was highly exaggerated.
Yes we had Pickton, but he was out West and our only known mass serial killer of prostitutes in Canada. Prostitutes in Toronto where Bedford is from werent being hunted down or killed, and generally worked in a safe city.

So now sex workers have a huge uphill fight to turn this law around, and there are no guarantees they'll be successfull.

Thanks Ms. Bedford

 

[MPAsquared]

Or she couldve left well enough alone. The dangers to sex workers was highly exaggerated.
Yes we had Pickton, but he was out West and our only known mass serial killer of prostitutes in Canada. Prostitutes in Toronto where Bedford is from werent being hunted down or killed, and generally worked in a safe city.

So now sex workers have a huge uphill fight to turn this law around, and there are no guarantees they'll be successfull.

Thanks Ms. Bedford

That is completely untrue. One situation isn't all sex workers face! Are u kidding me?! Bedford wasn't involved w/the pickton case at all. She fought for her human rights! Tons of sex workers in toronto are assaulted daily! Just read a bad date list to see what sex workers deal with as a daily hazard. Just because the current situation means you will have to adjust your hobbying habits for the time being does NOT negate the rape, assault, robbery, pimping, trafficking, & other such daily risks every sex worker takes just by going to work!!

Success is never guaranteed in life. So everyone who doesn't have a sure-win should not attempt?! The woman has won awards for her brave-ry fighting for equality! Your dick should think outside of its own needs. How selfish of you to assume we were just fine as is.

Even in indoor work, bad things happen. Let alone street level. If Bedford were an electrician fighting because she was neglected human rights on the job, would u sing the same tune?!

Geeze. Get a grip. Again, this c36 situation, the "right now" of today, is a mere blip on the grand scale of things. What if 10yrs from now someone develops a system that finally helps sex workers and communities? She'd be a trail blazer!!!! As has any voice or face of the plight for equality!

 

[shakenbake]

Or she couldve left well enough alone. The dangers to sex workers was highly exaggerated.
Yes we had Pickton, but he was out West and our only known mass serial killer of prostitutes in Canada. Prostitutes in Toronto where Bedford is from werent being hunted down or killed, and generally worked in a safe city.

So now sex workers have a huge uphill fight to turn this law around, and there are no guarantees they'll be successfull.

Thanks Ms. Bedford

I must say that, when I was younger, I saw the bad aspects of the industry, here in the GTA. One of my friends was murdered by overdose of heroin. Another lost everything she had to abusive assholes. Yet another was lucky to get out of the trouble she had, but to this day always looks over her shoulder.

You don't think that there is no trafficking in the GTA? Look again, especially at some of the Asian in-calls. Something had to be done. It just happened that we have assholes presently in power in Ottawa who want to shove their evangelical ideology down everybody's throats, and not just with respect to things adult-industry related. So, don't blame Terri-Jean, Valerie and Amy. They are brave women who have been working to ameliorate life for their sisters, and brothers. As Emily said, the fight isn't over.

 

[shakenbake]

That is completely untrue. One situation isn't all sex workers face! Are u kidding me?! Bedford wasn't involved w/the pickton case at all. She fought for her human rights! Tons of sex workers in toronto are assaulted daily! Just read a bad date list to see what sex workers deal with as a daily hazard. Just because the current situation means you will have to adjust your hobbying habits for the time being does NOT negate the rape, assault, robbery, pimping, trafficking, & other such daily risks every sex worker takes just by going to work!!

Success is never guaranteed in life. So everyone who doesn't have a sure-win should not attempt?! The woman has won awards for her brave-ry fighting for equality! Your dick should think outside of its own needs. How selfish of you to assume we were just fine as is.

Even in indoor work, bad things happen. Let alone street level. If Bedford were an electrician fighting because she was neglected human rights on the job, would u sing the same tune?!

Geeze. Get a grip. Again, this c36 situation, the "right now" of today, is a mere blip on the grand scale of things. What if 10yrs from now someone develops a system that finally helps sex workers and communities? She'd be a trail blazer!!!! As has any voice or face of the plight for equality!

You said it best, as I was typing my own reply. <3

 

[AK-47]

That is completely untrue. One situation isn't all sex workers face! Are u kidding me?! Bedford wasn't involved w/the pickton case at all. She fought for her human rights! Tons of sex workers in toronto are assaulted daily! Just read a bad date list to see what sex workers deal with as a daily hazard. Just because the current situation means you will have to adjust your hobbying habits for the time being does NOT negate the rape, assault, robbery, pimping, trafficking, & other such daily risks every sex worker takes just by going to work!!

Success is never guaranteed in life. So everyone who doesn't have a sure-win should not attempt?! The woman has won awards for her brave-ry fighting for equality! Your dick should think outside of its own needs. How selfish of you to assume we were just fine as is.

Even in indoor work, bad things happen. Let alone street level. If Bedford were an electrician fighting because she was neglected human rights on the job, would u sing the same tune?!

Geeze. Get a grip. Again, this c36 situation, the "right now" of today, is a mere blip on the grand scale of things. What if 10yrs from now someone develops a system that finally helps sex workers and communities? She'd be a trail blazer!!!! As has any voice or face of the plight for equality!

And now you're left with an even more dangerous situation for sex workers under Bill C36.

Also, are there absolute guarantees that if prostitution was ever legalized there would be no violence against sex workers?? Or that serial killers would cease to exist??

Look at Amsterdam, they legalized and still have (or had) a severe problem with trafficked women.

Read this: http://delilahsangels.wordpress.com/2013/11/04/sex-trafficking/

And this: http://humantraffickingsgp.weebly.com/amsterdams-red-light-district.html

Life comes with risks. There's no way to eliminate all dangers, or even minimize it in this case

 

[MPAsquared]

And now you're left with an even more dangerous situation for sex workers under Bill C36.

Also, are there absolute guarantees that if prostitution was ever legalized there would be no violence against sex workers?? Or that serial killers would cease to exist??

Look at Amsterdam, they legalized and still have (or had) a severe problem with trafficked women.

Read this: http://delilahsangels.wordpress.com/2013/11/04/sex-trafficking/

And this: http://humantraffickingsgp.weebly.com/amsterdams-red-light-district.html

Life comes with risks. There's no way to eliminate all dangers, or even minimize it in this case

Yes, c36 sucks. It puts marginalized women in greater harm. Hence why I said for the time being. I 100% believe there are many ways to minimize risks sex workers face. Ask any sex worker how her job safety can be improved, they'll tell you! Again, hence the fight not being over. Don't doubt the power of us. This is far from over!

So you would tell the electrician "sorry buddy, you chose to work with electricity, we can't stop electricity, so tough shit"?!?! Classy.

 

[squeezer]

Yes, c36 sucks. It puts marginalized women in greater harm. Hence why I said for the time being. I 100% believe there are many ways to minimize risks sex workers face. Ask any sex worker how her job safety can be improved, they'll tell you! Again, hence the fight not being over. Don't doubt the power of us. This is far from over!

Here's hoping you are right because if the idiots in power now get another majority it's going to get worse.

 

[freedom3]

That is your penis talking. If you were a sex worker, you would understand why these brave women stood up for themselves. When they started their fight, there was no telling which nutbar would be running Canada. This fight isn't over! This is just 1 phase in a much bigger picture. Sex workers deserve the same rights as every other canadian. And THAT is why they fought! Brave-r than any of us! Face-forward, against the grain, public, and committed. I deeply admire anyone who risks anything to fight for what they believe in!

They didn't risk anything. Bedford had been busted and was hoping to change the law so she could get back in business. The other two wanted to open brothels. All of the them are in the same position in which they started. It is the actual sex workers who are suffering.

As for the government of the day, Justin Trudeau hasn't said he would have done anything different than Harper. The only party in favour of the New Zealand model is the Green Party and I doubt even Bedford was thinking it would have been in power.

My guess is that the majority of sex workers are cursing Bedford. Her actions have, very predictably, made their lives much worse.

 

[Hailey♥4U]

everyone keeps comparing c-36 to the nordic model.

so far Toronto backpage hasn't announced any changes

I was curious about Sweden's escorts who advertise on backpage. I noticed also a girl from Hungary visiting Sweden advertising.

Their ads are quite explicit. And it's only $1 to place an ad.

http://sweden.backpage.com/FemaleEscorts/

by the way, Toronto BP is more strict on images and words and acronyms etc. vs, Sweden BP and it's $10 an ad in Toronto.

 

[squeezer]

Hi everyone, I've been silent for a long time, but I will unleash the names of hypocritical politicians, if I am forced to...
I'm a well known, established & successful certified therapist who has never felt degraded or exploited in my adulthood. As a youth, I was, hence the age limit should be increased to 25 in my opinion. I pay taxes, invest, and drive the economy.

Since C-36, countless spas have been ticketed and repeatedly harassed/over-inspected all over the city in an attempt to shut them down. These ladies are mature and unexploited, work together in safety at the spas, are unable to work from home due to family/apartment rules, would prefer not to work alone which would endanger them, and are threatened with eviction due to interruption of income, may be forced to work on the streets, may be triggered to abuse substances after stress from the fear mongering and intimidation by undercover police in their heavy handed raids. Not to mention tying up the courts with minor violations and causing additional financial hardship compounded by legal fees. None of these ladies have been offered any of the $20,000,000 assistance for 're-education' to my knowledge. There were 3 track suicides on the TTC last week. This is a very bad economy and the wrong time for such new laws.

We must all share information so that we can work together to strike down this unconstitutional law....
My bottom line statement: We are not selling anything, we rent our private time and guarantee confidentiality. It is the housewives who sell themselves, sell their independence, sell their autonomy/identity, sell their surname, to one benefactor, half of whom still end up hiring us.

www.IvanaWholeLotta.com

Well stated Ivana. Women have power and if enough ladies get together and fight as one, the politicians will buckle. Clients unfortunately will not be listened to mainly because we are men and the thought is we are all about keeping are dicks wet.

 

[AK-47]

So you would tell the electrician "sorry buddy, you chose to work with electricity, we can't stop electricity, so tough shit"?!?! Classy

Stop putting words in mouth, woman. Of course I want all you girls to be safe. But for now an entire industry has been completely ruined, and for what?? There's no evidence that legalization would make SP's any safer.

Also the main motivation of Bedford (by her own words) wasnt to make the profession safer, she wanted to start a brothel for herself if sex work became legal. So her reasons were selfish in nature

They didn't risk anything. Bedford had been busted and was hoping to change the law so she could get back in business. The other two wanted to open brothels. All of the them are in the same position in which they started. It is the actual sex workers who are suffering.

As for the government of the day, Justin Trudeau hasn't said he would have done anything different than Harper. The only party in favour of the New Zealand model is the Green Party and I doubt even Bedford was thinking it would have been in power.

My guess is that the majority of sex workers are cursing Bedford. Her actions have, very predictably, made their lives much worse

Agreed 100%.

And from what I heard many agency owners are mad as heck