Source: NSWP member organisation Stella press release.

Ontario Court of Appeal Judgment

Partial Victory:  Judgment Abandons Street Sex Workers

It is with a mix of joy and disappointment that we have learned of the decision by the five Ontario Court of Appeal judges that recognize the unconstitutionality of the articles criminalizing bawdy houses and living on the avails of prostitution, except in cases of exploitation. It is a victory in and of itself to be able to work legally indoors, alone or in groups and to have the right to have people around to increase security, such as receptionists, drivers, managers, agency owners, etc.

At the recent World Health Organisation conference in Montreaux, Switzerland looking at addressing violence against sex workers in the context of HIV, St. James Infirmary programmes director Stephany Ashley presented information about their media campaign on the public transport system.  

An article in The Atlantic shows how several US states are still using possession of condoms as evidence for arresting people 'suspected of engaging in prostitution.'

Reproduced from: rightswork.org

In September, 15 academics and advocates wrote to the State Department’s Trafficking Office to request reliable evidence in support of statements made in the document: “Prevention: Fighting Sex Trafficking by Curbing Demand for Prostitution.”  The Trafficking Office recently responded but, to our disappointment, it was unable to present even one piece of reliable research in support of the claims in the ‘fact sheet’ (their term, not ours).