[SWAF-Potluck] Red Umbrella March Handout: Why Sex Work Should Not Be A Crime....

[Andy Sorfleet]

RED UMBRELLA MARCH
FOR SEX WORK SOLIDARITY

The Red Umbrella March for Sex Work Solidarity has been organized to show
public support for Toronto sex workers, Bedford, Lebovitch, and Scott in
their courageous fight against Canada's unjust prostitution laws.

On September 28, 2010, sex workers and allies celebrated Justice Himel's
landmark ruling that would strike down three major Criminal Code of Canada
provisions that make prostitution against the law:

- Section 210 – Common bawdy house
- Section 212(1)(j) – Living on the avails; and
- Section 213(1)(c) – Communicating for the purposes of prostitution).

Justice Himel ruled that these laws violate the right to liberty and
security that is guaranteed in Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights
and Freedoms. Himel's decision states that the harm done to sex workers
through this criminalization of prostitution outweighs any harm done to the
community. This decision was appealed by the Attorney General, and the case
will be heard at the Supreme Court of Canada on June 13, 2013.

Why Sex Work Should Not Be A Crime

1.  Stigma and violence against sex workers is fueled by the fact that sex
work is a crime.

2.  Because sex work is a crime, sex workers are denied protection by
police and the courts.

3.  Risks that sex workers may face ─ such as violence, extortion,
kidnapping or confinement ─ are already against the law.

4.  Because sex work is a crime, sex workers must work alone or incriminate
their associates.

5.  Because sex work is a crime, sex workers are discriminated against and
face social exclusion.

6.  Because sex work is a crime, sex workers are denied protection under
labour law.

7.  Sex workers' access to healthcare that is relevant and non-judgmental
is hindered by the fact that sex work is a crime.

8.  Laws that make sex work a crime infringe upon our sexual freedom, in
particular, the freedom to set the terms under which we agree to have sex.

9.  Because sex work is a crime, sex workers' choices for work are severely
limited.

10.  Any new law that would make buying sex a crime would limit sex
workers' ability to earn an living and would not protect sex workers from
harm.
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