SSLR Committee News Release
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Subcommittee on Solicitation Laws of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights |
HOUSE OF COMMONS CHAMBRE DES COMMUNES OTTAWA, CANADA K1A 0A6 |
Sous-comité de l'examen des lois sur le racolage du Comité permanent de la justice et des droits de la personne |
For immediate release
NEWS RELEASE
A Study of Canada's Criminal Prostitution Laws
Ottawa, December 13, 2006
Today in Ottawa, John Maloney, MP for Welland and Chair of the Subcommittee on Solicitation Laws of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, released a report entitled The Challenge of Change: a Study of Canada’s Criminal Prostitution Laws.
This report addresses a unanimous motion adopted in the House of Commons in February 2003: that the “Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights be ordered to review the solicitation laws in order to improve the safety of sex-trade workers and communities overall, and to recommend changes that will reduce the exploitation of and violence against sex-trade workers.”
This report follows extensive consultations with approximately 300 witnesses – including dozens of researchers, academics, policy experts, private citizens, social service and health care workers, lawyers, police officers and individuals engaged in prostitution – at public and private hearings held in Ottawa, Toronto, Montréal, Halifax, Vancouver, Edmonton and Winnipeg, from January 31 to May 30, 2005.
This report reflects the diversity of opinion in Canada with respect to adult prostitution. It also reflects a strong consensus condemning the sexual exploitation of minors through prostitution, trafficking in persons, as well as the violence, discrimination and intimidation perpetrated against individuals selling sexual services. A consensus also emerged with respect to the need to better protect communities from problems relating to prostitution.
The Subcommittee also agree that:
- The social and legal framework pertaining to adult prostitution in Canada does not effectively prevent and address prostitution or the exploitation and abuse occurring in prostitution, nor does it prevent or address harms to communities;
- The laws relating to prostitution are unequally applied;
- There is an urgent need for programs to prevent individuals from being exploited, as well as to protect those engaged in prostitution and assist them in regaining control of their lives; and,
- The lack of research and data with respect to many issues, such as indoor prostitution (which makes up the vast majority of prostitution activities), trafficking in persons for the purpose of prostitution and the involvement of organized crime is hampering the development of an effective Canadian strategy to prostitution in Canada.
“The Subcommittee strongly believes that reducing the incidence of survival sex in communities throughout Canada requires various social programs and services to address the underlying factors that leave individuals with no other choice but prostitution.” No one should be forced into prostitution through exploitation or need.
The Subcommittee considers that the implementation of the recommendations made in its report is an essential step in order to improve the safety of individuals engaged in prostitution and communities overall, and to reduce the exploitation and violence perpetrated against individuals selling sexual services in Canada.
For further information, please contact the Clerk.
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