What's at stake: Canada's prostitution laws under review
What is the current Canadian prostitution law?
Current Canadian prostitution laws need to be reviewed. There is a lot at stake.
The EFC believes that the current prostitution law, the Law on the protection of communities and exploited people ( LCEPP) , is an essential tool in the fight to end sexual exploitation in Canada.
Adopted in 2014 , the PCEPA targets demand for paid sex by prohibiting the purchase of sex. The punitive powers of the law therefore focus on sex buyers, pimps and traffickers; while those that are sold are decriminalized, except in very specific circumstances.
The spirit and intent of the law is that those who are prostitutes are considered victims of exploitation and enjoy immunity from criminal sanctions. This approach recognizes that the criminalization of those who are vulnerable only serves
to create further victimization and barriers to exiting exploitation.
This approach is essential because we know that the sex trade operates on the principles of the market of supply and demand. Without men's demand for paid sexual access primarily to women and girls, the prostitution industry would not be able to prosper and develop.
It is also important because the law is a teacher. It has a normative effect on society. If maintained and fully implemented and enforced, this law will teach future generations of boys that it is not only illegal, but unacceptable to purchase sexual services.
The offense of buying sex in the PCEPA comes with substantial fines and potential jail time. Men who buy sex report that these consequences, along with the risk of public shame, will most effectively dissuade them from purchasing sex.
The law also maintains prohibitions against pimping and against the material benefits of selling the sexual services of others, and includes a new offense making it illegal to advertise the sale of the sexual services of others.
Why is it important that we get involved?
Research and anecdotal evidence tell us that the vast majority of female prostitutes (between 88 and 96%) are not there by choice and would get away with it if they felt they had a viable alternative.
We know that factors such as poverty, past abuse, substance abuse, mental illness and racialization contribute to individuals becoming prostitutes or being vulnerable to exploitation. Youth who are in foster care or who have aged outside the system are particularly vulnerable to commercial sexual exploitation.
As the preamble to the PCEPA , prostitution is inherently exploitative and dangerous. Allowing paid sexual access to another person violates human dignity. It makes the human body objective and causes social damage. And that's fundamentally contrary to gender equality.
All women and girls are safer in a society that resists the idea that any woman or her sexuality can be bought or sold.
The demand for paid sex is the driving force behind prostitution and sex trafficking. That is why it is so important for all of us to actively support the current Canadian prostitution law as the government faces pressure to repeal it.
What can I do?
The PCEPA includes a mandatory five-year review of the law and its effectiveness, which is now in pain . We know the current government is under pressure to repeal the laws. It is important for each of us to let our MPs know that we support the PCEPA and as an essential tool in the fight against sexual exploitation in Canada.
CEF works with other organizations to support the laws and lobby for them to be respected and enforced across the country. ( Watch this powerful video by EFC partner Defend Dignity.) But we need your help.
Here are 3 things you can ask your MP:
CEF has a sample letter and information to help you engage with your local MP.
Author: Julia Beazley
Current Canadian prostitution laws need to be reviewed. There is a lot at stake.
The EFC believes that the current prostitution law, the Law on the protection of communities and exploited people ( LCEPP) , is an essential tool in the fight to end sexual exploitation in Canada.
Adopted in 2014 , the PCEPA targets demand for paid sex by prohibiting the purchase of sex. The punitive powers of the law therefore focus on sex buyers, pimps and traffickers; while those that are sold are decriminalized, except in very specific circumstances.
The spirit and intent of the law is that those who are prostitutes are considered victims of exploitation and enjoy immunity from criminal sanctions. This approach recognizes that the criminalization of those who are vulnerable only serves
to create further victimization and barriers to exiting exploitation.
This approach is essential because we know that the sex trade operates on the principles of the market of supply and demand. Without men's demand for paid sexual access primarily to women and girls, the prostitution industry would not be able to prosper and develop.
It is also important because the law is a teacher. It has a normative effect on society. If maintained and fully implemented and enforced, this law will teach future generations of boys that it is not only illegal, but unacceptable to purchase sexual services.
The offense of buying sex in the PCEPA comes with substantial fines and potential jail time. Men who buy sex report that these consequences, along with the risk of public shame, will most effectively dissuade them from purchasing sex.
The law also maintains prohibitions against pimping and against the material benefits of selling the sexual services of others, and includes a new offense making it illegal to advertise the sale of the sexual services of others.
Why is it important that we get involved?
Research and anecdotal evidence tell us that the vast majority of female prostitutes (between 88 and 96%) are not there by choice and would get away with it if they felt they had a viable alternative.
We know that factors such as poverty, past abuse, substance abuse, mental illness and racialization contribute to individuals becoming prostitutes or being vulnerable to exploitation. Youth who are in foster care or who have aged outside the system are particularly vulnerable to commercial sexual exploitation.
As the preamble to the PCEPA , prostitution is inherently exploitative and dangerous. Allowing paid sexual access to another person violates human dignity. It makes the human body objective and causes social damage. And that's fundamentally contrary to gender equality.
All women and girls are safer in a society that resists the idea that any woman or her sexuality can be bought or sold.
The demand for paid sex is the driving force behind prostitution and sex trafficking. That is why it is so important for all of us to actively support the current Canadian prostitution law as the government faces pressure to repeal it.
What can I do?
The PCEPA includes a mandatory five-year review of the law and its effectiveness, which is now in pain . We know the current government is under pressure to repeal the laws. It is important for each of us to let our MPs know that we support the PCEPA and as an essential tool in the fight against sexual exploitation in Canada.
CEF works with other organizations to support the laws and lobby for them to be respected and enforced across the country. ( Watch this powerful video by EFC partner Defend Dignity.) But we need your help.
Here are 3 things you can ask your MP:
- Support the prostitution law when it is revised.
- Advocate for long-term and coherent funding of programs that support exploited people who wish to leave prostitution.
- Support a public education campaign to ensure Canadians understand the laws and harms of prostitution.
CEF has a sample letter and information to help you engage with your local MP.
Author: Julia Beazley
