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Thursday, May 22nd, 2014
7:00 PM

�I am convinced that the most effective route to tackling prostitution and sex trafficking is to address the demand for commercial sex by targeting the buyers of sex. Countries that have legalized and regulated prostitution have seen sexual exploitation, human trafficking and violence towards women and girls increase drastically. In fact, a 2012 comprehensive study of a cross section of up to 150 counties revealed that legalizing prostitution increased sex trafficking. In contrast, countries like Sweden and Norway, which have adopted the Nordic model of prostitution, have seen a significant decrease in prostitution and sex trafficking.

"The Nordic model of prostitution is effective due to its three approaches: explicitly criminalizing the purchase of sexual services, a national awareness campaign to educate the public that the purchase of sexual services is harmful to women, and finally strong support programs for those who seek to exit prostitution.

"Many police services across Canada have already shifted to policing models reflecting the Nordic model approach that women, girls and vulnerable populations are victimized and profoundly harmed by prostitution. The Toronto Police Service, Canada�s largest municipal force, mandates their Sex Crimes Unit Special Victims Section to recognize �sex workers as victims first.� Vancouver Police Department�s Counter Exploitation Unit acknowledges �that Aboriginal women are over-represented� among prostituted women and focuses on assisting �young people to escape from the sex trade.� The Winnipeg Police Service�s new Counter Exploitation Unit has also adopted �victim first� driven investigations.

"The harm caused by prostitution to women, girls and vulnerable populations has been well documented by women�s and First Nations organizations. During the June 13, 2013 Supreme Court of Canada hearings, the majority of interveners that were directly opposed to legalizing and regulating prostitution represented women�s organizations such as Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres, Native Women's Association of Canada, and Vancouver Rape Relief Society. These organizations presented compelling evidence to the Supreme Court of Canada that legalizing prostitution would place women, girls and vulnerable populations at much greater risk of exploitation.�

MP Joy Smith, Kildonan-St. Paul MB