Sex Work in Canada (full document)
Reference:
Benoit, C., Shumka, L. (2015). Sex Work in Canada. Available at: http://www.understandingsexwork.com
people who sell sexual services
Beyond the stereotypes of street-level sex workers portrayed in the media, adults who sell sex in Canada are primarily women from diverse racial, ethnic, economic and educational backgrounds who provide various sexual services indoors. A vast array of factors play into why, how and where people enter the sex work world, ranging from poverty, trauma and mental illness to sexual curiosity, a desire to perform and a strong belief in challenging social norms. Please read more . . .
people who pay for sexual services
Some studies suggest heterosexual Caucasian men in their 30’s and 40’s, with good jobs and wives or girlfriends, make up a significant number of the people who pay for sex. The reasons for buying sex range from loneliness or unmet emotional needs to unique sexual preferences and the thrill of risky living. Please read more . . .
sex work and the law
While buying and selling sex is legal in Canada, rules and regulations around arranging and staging sexual services make the legal status of sex work almost meaningless. Trying to navigate these regulations put sex workers and those around them at unnecessary risk of particular health, safety, economic and social problems. Please read more . . .
health needs of sex workers
Sex workers, like other Canadians, have complex health needs. These relate not only to sexual health but include the full range of physical, mental and emotional health concerns. Some, but by no means all, of these concerns are work-related or exacerbated by work-related factors. Please read more . . .
sex work and stigma
Stigma is a complex concept linked to issues of power. Stigma shapes the relationships sex workers have with people purchasing sex, managers, health and social service providers, police and other authorities, and impacts the health and well-being of these workers. Please read more . . .
people who work as managers in the sex industry
Managers play an important role in setting and maintaining workplace practices in some sex work businesses and they are often a key point of contact for law enforcement, clients and workers. It is therefore essential to include their often overlooked perspective on issues related to health and safety and to address misinformation and stereotypes about people who work as managers in the sex industry. Please read more . . .
sex work and violence
While violence is an important concern for some sex workers, others reject the notion that sex work is inherently violent. What we do know is that a person’s exposure to violence in the Canadian sex industry is shaped by complex processes related to social stigma and the legal system, in addition to such factors as a sex worker's age, gender, ethnicity, substance use and work location, among others. Please read more . . .
references cited
For a full list of all academic sources used for the above articles, please click here.