A march today to end violence against sex workers is expected to attract twice as many people this year since new federal prostitution laws and the plight of indigenous women have been in the spotlight, organizers say.
“People were upset about Bill C-36 and the sex workers’ rights movement really has momentum right now,” said Rachel Phillips, a sex-work researcher and the executive director of PEERS. The local resource centre for sex workers is co-hosting the eighth annual Red Umbrella March and rally, at which participants are encouraged to wear red or carry a red umbrella.
Phillips said the new laws, which criminalize the purchase of sex and penalize those advertising prostitution, are cause for concern because they push the industry underground and make it more dangerous.
“At PEERS, we still hear about at least one ‘bad date’ a month,” she said. A bad date can be anything from a sex worker being mistreated by a client to a violent or sexual assault. According to a PEERS release, Victoria police reported that violence against sex workers has gone up by 56 per cent in the past three years.
Phillips said the group is also concerned about more systemic abuse, especially that targeting Indigenous women, who can be much more vulnerable to violence, she said.
Stephanie, a local sex worker who did not want to use her real name, said she entered the trade a few months ago after struggling to find even a minimum-wage retail job in Victoria.
“Before entering the industry, I did extensive research on what was expected of me, what was required and what I could expect in return,” said the 30-year-old, who works in a female-run agency.
She said she has been paying attention to how the new prostitution laws will play out in Victoria, but is not overly worried. Both the city and the police have said there will be no major changes to their rules or operations, and that health and safety of sex workers will remain a priority.
“I have discussed the laws and the general feeling is that Victoria is a very practical place. If someone is being exploited or there is a really bad situation happening, then the authorities will intervene. If it’s consensual, it’s between the two adults involved and not the authorities,” Stephanie said, noting more living-wage jobs would be the best way to help those wanting to get out of the industry.
“I believe the Red Umbrella protest and rally is a visible and timely way to draw attention to the need for safety and accountability above all else,” she added.
The march begins at the legislature lawns at 5:30 p.m. and ends at Victoria City Hall. There will be a light dinner outside, then speeches from local advocates, an open mike and a burlesque performance inside chambers.
For more information, go to safersexwork.ca.
