On December 17th, GAATW Canada observes the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.
Regrettably, since our statement last year, not much has changed. Sex workers are still criminalized in Canada.
Still subject to vast misinformation that facilitates stigma, harassment, and violence.
Still left out of groups, initiatives, and policy decisions that directly affect them and their work.
Still excluded from labour protections, despite such protections being key to preventing violence, exploitation, and human trafficking.
Still suffering the harms of misguided anti-trafficking efforts that unfairly target them, stigmatize their existence, and encourage police raids and a denial of their autonomy. Supporting sex workers’ safety, agency, and dignity does not come at the expense of helping victims of human trafficking.
While remembering and mourning the lives lost to the many manifestations of anti-sex work bias, GAATW once again calls for changes to be made to ensure a safe and dignified working environment for sex workers in Canada.
GAATW Canada stands in solidarity with sex workers and calls for:
- The full decriminalization of sex work in Canada, including the decriminalization of migrant sex work.
- Comprehensive labour protections for sex workers.
- Ending the conflation of sex work with trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, ensuring that anti-trafficking initiatives are not used to justify the criminalization of sex work.
- The immediate cessation of bylaw, police, and border enforcement actions targeting sex workers under the pretense of anti-trafficking ‘rescue’.
- The meaningful participation of sex workers in (i) developing laws and policies that directly affect them, (ii) the identification of trafficked individuals, and (iii) the design, implementation, and evaluation of anti-trafficking initiatives.
GAATW Canada remains steadfast in advocating for the dignity and rights of sex workers while addressing violence against individuals who are trafficked. Listening to sex workers and involving them in anti-trafficking efforts will promote justice and autonomy for all and will contribute to a society where everyone can thrive free from oppression and exploitation.