Canada: Prostitution Laws

prostitution laws: The court's decision leaves untouched most of Canada's prostitution laws. It is still a criminal offense to pay a minor for sex, engage in trafficking or attempt to procure someone to engage in prostitution. Other criminal code offenses, including offences related to sexual offences, extortion and organized crime can also be used to charge those who exploit sex workers. Related Items Articles Prostitution laws struck down Protect exploited females: Glover , according to Winnipeg Free Press. Sex workers, including minors, are far more likely to be charged and convicted under the solicitation laws than johns. But in a welcome development earlier this year, the Winnipeg police announced a new police team would work with street level sex workers. Rather than laying solicitation charges, this team would get to know the workers' concerns and then be able to work together to target exploitative johns and pimps. So non-enforcement was already the status quo in Winnipeg. Will all hell break loose now that the Supreme Court of Canada has struck down three prostitution offences? No. The laws remain in force for a year, giving Parliament time to decide if and how to pass new laws. It is still an offence to engage in street solicitation, live off the avails of prostitution or run a common bawdy house. More than 90 per cent of prostitution-related charges in Canada have been under the now-impugned solicitation law. This law has never been used to protect sex workers from exploitation. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.