Comments on: Sex Work “Legalization” in Ontario

By: Rhiannon

Rhiannon — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 03:38:17 +0000

I am just really uncomfortable with the idea that people (namely pimps) are making money off these women and girls. It would be one thing to me if these were all fully mature women choosing a lifestyle however problematic I may still find it. However in this situation if a pimp is arrested and the woman who was victimized by him refuses to testify the legal system no longer has any recourse. Whereas before he (or she) could be charged with living off the means.

Now I don’t think that the originally legislation was perfect either but so far I haven’t heard of any really good laws to replace these.

By: c

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 01:28:55 +0000

“I can’t seem to locate, quickly, an online copy of the decision”…

http://www.canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/2010/2010onsc4264/2010onsc4264.html

Free, even!

By: wondering

wondering — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 23:02:53 +0000

Oh no! What a terrible slip – that should say “I’m perfectly okay for the sex trade to remain legal.” (or at least, decriminalized)

I’m sorry, that completely changes the tenor of what I was trying to say. My bad.

By: wondering

wondering — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 23:01:12 +0000

The ruling is hopeful. On the other hand, even if the Conservatives appeal loses, I seriously doubt that the current government is capable of drawing up reasonable replacement laws.

And we do need replacement laws. This is not the abortion debate, which is far as I care can remain legal and lawless forever. I’m perfectly okay for the sex trade to remain illegal, but we do need to come down hard on people who coerce others into the sex trade. If your drug dealer becomes your pimp by forcing you into the trade; if women from Asia and Eastern Europe are brought here as sex slaves; if aboriginal women are kidnapped off the street, held captive, and regularly raped – or killed – then we need to address that.

Logically, all of those situations can be addressed through kidnapping, assault, sexual assault, and forcibly detained type laws, but what kind of enforcement can sex trade workers expect – especially the ones who are being abused? It hasn’t worked out well so far.

By: Kristine

Kristine — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 19:29:31 +0000

My friend and I have been discussing this case back and forth via email since yesterday morning – we’re both Canadian. My first thought was optimistic. I thought if the laws were declared unconstitutional in Ontario then maybe eventually other provinces would follow suit.

Of course, now that everyone has had a chance to voice their opinions on the matter I am much less hopeful. Frankly, I just don’t get how people can be against this judge’s ruling. How people can deny sex workers basic human rights at one turn, and then say they care about victims of the sex trade at another is mystifying. The Harper government has just been one fuck-up after another. It’s clear caring about Canadians is not a major priority on their agenda.

By: Tweets that mention Sex Work “Legalization” in Ontario - The Pursuit of Harpyness -- Topsy.com

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 19:11:58 +0000

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