AIDS Calgary is hosting another Wellness Day
Where: Calgary Cares Centre
110 - 1603 10th Avenue SW
When: October 14, 2010
2:00 – 6:00 pm
Who: Available to registered AIDS Calgary or Shift program clients
What: Gift bags, light snacks and coffee/tea are provided. There will also be a
clothing give-away throughout the afternoon. It’s all free!
Wellness Day participants can sign up for the following activities at reception. They are offered in 30 minute sessions between 3:00 – 5:30pm:
• Acupuncture
• Massage Therapy
• Nutritional Counseling *participants are asked to bring in a list of foods eaten in the past three days before the session
• Mac Cosmetics make-over & consultation
In addition to these sessions, participants may also sign up for this workshop:
• Make the Break: Tobacco Reduction workshop – 2:00 – 3:00 pm
We look forward to seeing you there! If you have any questions, or would like to book a session, please contact us at 403.508.2500
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Legalization vs. Decriminalization of Prostitution: What's the Difference?
As we explained last [post] we know that prostitution in Canada is legal. It is the activities associated with prostitution that are illegal.
There are ongoing debates about legalization and decriminalization but before you form an educated opinion you need to understand the difference between the two concepts. “Legalization and de-criminalization are two separate regulatory frameworks with different outcomes and impacts on sex workers” (Scarlett Alliance).
Legalization
Legalization of prostitution means that you can legally call yourself a sex worker but that the use of criminal laws would regulate or control the sex worker or the sex work industry. Historically it is governed by the state and the laws are created by the state. Some governing laws include mandated physical exams for all sex workers, a sex worker registry, permits, and designated work areas. Generally these laws are not made by sex workers but are made for sex workers.
Some of the benefits of legalization could be that sex work would be made more legitimate, stigma would be reduced, governments would benefit by receiving taxes and licensing fees, and there is more control over the number of sex workers as there could be a registration system. Although sex work is legalized in Canada, last week’s article shows us that the laws surrounding it make it almost impossible to legally work in the sex industry.
Decriminalization
Decriminalizing prostitution in Canada would mean taking an eraser to the Criminal Code and removing sections 210-213. It would remove all current laws pertaining to prostitution.
Some of the benefits to decriminalization could include: putting control of the industry into the hands of sex workers, increasing safety for sex workers as they can work together in a common area, increasing safety for sex workers because they would feel safe to report violent crimes without fear of prosecution, normalizing the industry and reducing the stigmas around sex work (many people believe sex workers deserve the violence they experience because of their job choice), and potentially allowing sex workers to benefit from employment and labor laws.
Sex work is a touchy subject, we know there are high emotions, values, and morals attached to the activity of selling sex for money. However, sex work is happening and it is currently one of the most dangerous professions in Canada. Sex workers are being reported missing and/or murdered on a far too regular basis.
Regardless of if we believe sex work should be criminalized, decriminalized or legalized, we need to recognize that above all else sex workers have a right to safety, and to their life. They have a right to be respected and given support to exit the sex industry if they want and to be respected and given the tools to keep safe if they want to continue in this work.
From The A Word. (2010). Legalization vs. Decriminalization of Prostitution: What's the Difference? Retrieved from http://aidscalgary.blogspot.com/2010/08/legalization-vs-decriminalization-of.html
There are ongoing debates about legalization and decriminalization but before you form an educated opinion you need to understand the difference between the two concepts. “Legalization and de-criminalization are two separate regulatory frameworks with different outcomes and impacts on sex workers” (Scarlett Alliance).
Legalization
Legalization of prostitution means that you can legally call yourself a sex worker but that the use of criminal laws would regulate or control the sex worker or the sex work industry. Historically it is governed by the state and the laws are created by the state. Some governing laws include mandated physical exams for all sex workers, a sex worker registry, permits, and designated work areas. Generally these laws are not made by sex workers but are made for sex workers.
Some of the benefits of legalization could be that sex work would be made more legitimate, stigma would be reduced, governments would benefit by receiving taxes and licensing fees, and there is more control over the number of sex workers as there could be a registration system. Although sex work is legalized in Canada, last week’s article shows us that the laws surrounding it make it almost impossible to legally work in the sex industry.
Decriminalization
Decriminalizing prostitution in Canada would mean taking an eraser to the Criminal Code and removing sections 210-213. It would remove all current laws pertaining to prostitution.
Some of the benefits to decriminalization could include: putting control of the industry into the hands of sex workers, increasing safety for sex workers as they can work together in a common area, increasing safety for sex workers because they would feel safe to report violent crimes without fear of prosecution, normalizing the industry and reducing the stigmas around sex work (many people believe sex workers deserve the violence they experience because of their job choice), and potentially allowing sex workers to benefit from employment and labor laws.
Sex work is a touchy subject, we know there are high emotions, values, and morals attached to the activity of selling sex for money. However, sex work is happening and it is currently one of the most dangerous professions in Canada. Sex workers are being reported missing and/or murdered on a far too regular basis.
Regardless of if we believe sex work should be criminalized, decriminalized or legalized, we need to recognize that above all else sex workers have a right to safety, and to their life. They have a right to be respected and given support to exit the sex industry if they want and to be respected and given the tools to keep safe if they want to continue in this work.
From The A Word. (2010). Legalization vs. Decriminalization of Prostitution: What's the Difference? Retrieved from http://aidscalgary.blogspot.com/2010/08/legalization-vs-decriminalization-of.html
Sex Work Laws in Canada
Did you know that prostitution in Canada is legal? It’s true! The exchange of sex for money or goods (i.e. meals, housing, drugs) is legal. It is legal to call yourself a sex worker.
That being said, the Canadian Criminal Code makes almost every activity related to prostitution illegal which makes it difficult for a person to work in the sex trade.
Here’s how the laws break down:
Section 110 – It is illegal to work in and/or own a bawdy house.
A bawdy house is also known as a brothel. Under the Criminal code a bawdy house can be any place that someone occupies for the purpose of prostitution. This can include a sex worker’s house, hotels, client’s homes, a car, and/or massage and body rub parlours. This would mean that going to a clients home more than once, or having them at your place on a re-occurring basis would classify that home as a bawdy house. Having to see new clients every time reduces safety as you would not get to keep regular safe clients.
Section 211 – It is illegal to direct or take someone to a bawdy-house.
You cannot tell someone where to find a sex worker, provide directions or an actual address. This includes taxi drivers, hotel concierge, or a driver for a sex worker taking him or her to a client’s home, etc.
Section 212 – It is illegal to force someone into prostitution and you cannot live off the avails.
Although it’s legal to exchange sex for money, it’s illegal to spend the money you make. Anyone who regularly spends time with and is supported by a sex worker can be assumed to be “living off the avails”. This could include a partner, family members, roommates and/or friends. This law also refers to what are commonly known as “pimps” or “procurers”.
Section 213 – It is illegal to communicate for the purpose of prostitution.
It is illegal to communicate in a public place for the purpose of prostitution. You can also be charged for stopping (or attempting to stop) people or cars on a street. A sex worker cannot negotiate with a client on the street or in a bar as this would be considered a public place.
Penalties for breaking these laws:
These can vary from community service to hefty fines. Some of these would carry jail time.
Interesting fact about Calgary:
Our sex workers need to be concerned about the criminal code, but also with City Bylaws. In Calgary we license escorts. In order to work in Calgary as an escort you must have an escort license, which is distributed by the City of Calgary. There are two ways to obtain a license, as an employee of an escort agency or through self-employment. There is a fee to get a license and a police check is required. If you are working as an escort without a license there are hefty fines.
Even though prostitution in Canada is legal, it is easy to see how the complexities of the laws would make it almost impossible to legitimately work as a sex worker in our country. People involved in sex work face a lot of challenges: fear of criminalization, unsafe work environments and blurry laws. Understanding these issues is the beginning of understanding the loss of control a sex worker has over their employment.
From The A Word. (2010). Sex Work Laws in Canada. Retrieved from http://aidscalgary.blogspot.com/2010/08/sex-work-laws-in-canada.html
That being said, the Canadian Criminal Code makes almost every activity related to prostitution illegal which makes it difficult for a person to work in the sex trade.
Here’s how the laws break down:
Section 110 – It is illegal to work in and/or own a bawdy house.
A bawdy house is also known as a brothel. Under the Criminal code a bawdy house can be any place that someone occupies for the purpose of prostitution. This can include a sex worker’s house, hotels, client’s homes, a car, and/or massage and body rub parlours. This would mean that going to a clients home more than once, or having them at your place on a re-occurring basis would classify that home as a bawdy house. Having to see new clients every time reduces safety as you would not get to keep regular safe clients.
Section 211 – It is illegal to direct or take someone to a bawdy-house.
You cannot tell someone where to find a sex worker, provide directions or an actual address. This includes taxi drivers, hotel concierge, or a driver for a sex worker taking him or her to a client’s home, etc.
Section 212 – It is illegal to force someone into prostitution and you cannot live off the avails.
Although it’s legal to exchange sex for money, it’s illegal to spend the money you make. Anyone who regularly spends time with and is supported by a sex worker can be assumed to be “living off the avails”. This could include a partner, family members, roommates and/or friends. This law also refers to what are commonly known as “pimps” or “procurers”.
Section 213 – It is illegal to communicate for the purpose of prostitution.
It is illegal to communicate in a public place for the purpose of prostitution. You can also be charged for stopping (or attempting to stop) people or cars on a street. A sex worker cannot negotiate with a client on the street or in a bar as this would be considered a public place.
Penalties for breaking these laws:
These can vary from community service to hefty fines. Some of these would carry jail time.
Interesting fact about Calgary:
Our sex workers need to be concerned about the criminal code, but also with City Bylaws. In Calgary we license escorts. In order to work in Calgary as an escort you must have an escort license, which is distributed by the City of Calgary. There are two ways to obtain a license, as an employee of an escort agency or through self-employment. There is a fee to get a license and a police check is required. If you are working as an escort without a license there are hefty fines.
Even though prostitution in Canada is legal, it is easy to see how the complexities of the laws would make it almost impossible to legitimately work as a sex worker in our country. People involved in sex work face a lot of challenges: fear of criminalization, unsafe work environments and blurry laws. Understanding these issues is the beginning of understanding the loss of control a sex worker has over their employment.
From The A Word. (2010). Sex Work Laws in Canada. Retrieved from http://aidscalgary.blogspot.com/2010/08/sex-work-laws-in-canada.html
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