[SWAF-Potluck] news: B.C. micro-brothels thriving

[Andy Sorfleet]

This article appeared on the front page of the Vancouver 24 Hours as well.
I can't figure out exactly where the story comes from however. There are no
research studies or statistics or police reports quoted. It's almost like
the writer invented it and called around for quotes.

Susan Davis did a great interview that Monday on CKNW. She talked about
being really good neighbours and how Vancouverites (I prefer Vancouvereans
:^) are not naive and already know etc. and addressed the difference
between sex trafficking and working. She diffused any hysteria the article
might whipped up. The host, Simi Sara was good too! :^)

Cheers,
Andy

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

http://www.torontosun.com/
TORONTO SUN
Monday, September 30, 2013

Jeremy Nuttall, 24 HOURS



B.C. micro-brothels thriving

[photo caption]
Image of a woman peering out from her apartment. (Fotolia.com)
[image: Inline image 1]

VANCOUVER -- A crackdown on Lower Mainland massage parlours has led to an
increase in so-called micro-brothels run out of apartments and rental
properties around the region, according to experts.

Sex-worker activist Sue Davis said buying and selling sex is legal between
consenting adults in private, but when someone rents an apartment and
allows others to use it for sex acts as employees it becomes a brothel and
illegal.

Despite the clampdown and closures, brothel operators are still willing to
accommodate sex workers looking for a safe place to work, she said.

"Instead of being an agency owner with one static location you've got 10
suites where different workers go and make money," Davis said.

Burnaby, B.C., RCMP Staff Sgt. Major John Buis said it has been noticed --
unlike in days past -- that sex workers now live and work in communities
rather than being dropped off for a shift or travelling to brothels.

But hard numbers on the increase are difficult to come by, he said.

"It's very difficult to locate or identify," Buis said. "Usually it's a
rental accommodation, and it comes and goes very quickly. They set up and
if they're detected they're gone."

Richmond, B.C., RCMP Cpl. Stephanie Ashton said the trend has been
happening in that city as well, but enforcement is a problem because by the
time police get into a unit "whatever was going on inside has stopped."

Meanwhile, Davis insists targeting brothels has also made the trade more
dangerous, as predators know sex workers are less likely to call police for
fears of being charged or deported in some cases.

She added such women can be victimized by "cowards" who will do things such
as pose as a customer to get in the door before letting their friends in to
beat, rob or rape sex workers.
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