Vancouver sex worker Sue Davis praises Ontario court ruling overturning prostitution laws

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      A Vancouver sex worker says she's thrilled by an Ontario court decision striking down Canada's prostitution laws.

      Sue Davis, spokesperson for the B.C. Coalition for Experimental Communities, told the Straight she's grateful that somebody within the legal system has "sorted through the muck and the rhetoric and come up with a decision that reflects the truth".

      "To be honest with you, I never in my life dreamed that we would see such a sweeping victory," Davis said.

      Ontario Justice Susan Himel ruled that laws against keeping a common bawdy house, communicating for the purpose of prostitution, and living off the avails of the sex trade were unconstitutional.

      The operators of a "Bondage Bungalow" near Toronto argued that the laws violated their charter guarantees of freedom of expression and security of the person.

      "I'm so happy for the Ontario sex workers today," Davis stated. "Essentially, everything has been decriminalized in Ontario. That just means for everybody, it's a step towards safety."

      Davis, who is spearheading efforts to create a sex workers' co-op, mentioned that she works with the police. She said that sex workers from across the country migrate to the city because it is "leaps and bounds ahead of other municipalities in the country, including Toronto".

      Comments

      3 Comments

      Sex Worker's Coop

      Sep 29, 2010 at 10:45am

      Sounds like a brothel. So now when a John beats the crap out of a prostitute the police will be there to protect. Or if the John dosen't pay the police will book the John for being a theif. Or what abut unsatisfactory services what is that civil courts like she used her teeth your honor and it still hurts like hell.
      And now when mommie finds herself at the end of a fist along with little Julie both will be sent by the local social services office and advocate to their legal place on the street and is it safer than the home?

      Jay Cee

      Jul 14, 2013 at 5:53am

      Making it legitimate ups their visibility in society's eyes. If a sex worker finds her vocation illegal she cannot use the same avenues and resources afforded the rest of society. When will we finally realize that making something illegal (especially a biological impulse) does not kill demad. It just forces all those involved underground and in the dark, without any rights or protections.

      i'm a fan of susan!