How to really do something about the Sex Trade...

I have a lot of respect for the difficult work done by the Kamloops RCMP.  And I believe Corporal Scott Wilson (a great new addition to the detachment) when he says the decision to arrest sex trade workers and ban them from certain areas of the North Shore was based on complaints from the public. I understand the police, like other public bodies, should be responding to citizen concerns. So, I would like to suggest to those concerned about sex trade activity in Kamloops a different approach to trying to get their concerns addressed. I base my suggestions on many different discussions I have had with people involved with supporting some of the most vulnerable, most marginalized people in our community.

When you pick up the phone or fire up the email to get someone to do something about the sex trade,  consider contacting a city councillor, an MLA, or our MP. Many outreach workers tell me that people sell their bodies on the street as a last resort or because they are mentally incapable of understanding what they are doing. They are often trying to feed a ruthless addiction. What we should be offering them is a guaranteed spot in a peer support program, a detox program, in affordable housing, away from people who dragging them down.  By instigating the arrest of street level sex trade workers and the ban from certain areas of town, are we not making already desperate people even more desperate? What we need is more funding to remove any and all waitlists for people who want and need society's hand up.

This is the oldest profession in the world. There is a reason why. Even Kamloops' finest can't stop it for good. The police are limited in the tools they can use. Yes, they can enforce the laws against communication for the purpose of prostitution. But, wouldn't you rather have them focus resources on the pimps, the johns, the drug dealers? Instead of chasing sex trade workers from one area of town to another.

I am currently of the view that we should also lobby the federal government to legalize prostitution, regulate it, tax it, and keep the real criminals away.  In the interim, would it not make more sense to open up a section of Tranquille Rd and Victoria St in the wee hours for a sex trade "stroll", as the experts call it. Keep it away from people's homes, between 12pm and 6am (outside of business hours) or something along those lines?

Comments

[SOUND]

Amanda Stevens wrote about this issue, and some other solutions (any solution only being that if it fits for the individual worker's circumstance and preference) for SOUND.

http://soundkamloops.org/2007/02/07/the-sex-trade-real-issues-real-solutions/

[Rachel]

Hello Arjun,

I agree 100% with your point of view on this subject. It is refreshing to see someone in a position to infulence and make changes, realise that there is more to this problem then the simple act of selling sex. And that it isn't only the sex trade workers that need to be focused on; the pimps, johns and drug dealers are the real ones that need cracking down on. Thank you for being open minded and for speaking up on this issue.

[Jason C. Johnson]

Until the Federal government clarifies the legality of prostitution, everyone will suffer
the consequences of this failed policy.

In Canada, prostitution is legal, however, the public communication in pursuit of the act of prostitution is illegal.

Basically, one can purchase the services offered by a prostitute, however, neither party can negotiate in public.

I respect what Sweden has done by making it illegal to buy the services of a prostitute. The rates of prostitution have done down dramatically. If we truly valued people, this is an option to study.

I didn't like the quote in the Kamloops Daily News where the person implied that the community has the put up with addicts, prostitutes, and criminals.

What kind of nonsense is that?
The only way to redeem society
is to minimize crime by putting the criminals in prison. Those
who perpetuate these crimes have to be removed from society.

The addicts need to get cleaned up and then offered a choice. Stay clean and they will be able to
integrate back into society. Get
back on the drugs and then go back
to jail for life.

Permanent hospitalization may be
necessary for the mentally ill. I
can not encourage the mentally ill
to integrate into regular society
because no society is adequately
prepared to take on the challenge
of caring for this group.

No community should have to put up with these issues. We've given too much to the politicians, media, and the criminals. We need to take back our city.

[Mickael Maddison]

Hi Jason,
You have a compelling view. I am and have often voiced an agreement with the perspective that if you actively participate in criminal behavior you waive your right to freedom. We have far too many examples of people getting out of jail for heinous crimes only to do it again. Each time, someone and their support group are victimized needlessly.

Legalizing and controlling prostitution may be one way of removing the criminal element from the equation. Your suggestion may also reduce the problem. The point is... we must do something.

[J.R.]

Let's get this straight. Drug addicts (male and female) allow themselves to be sexually abused in order to fuel an addiction that has completely taken over their lives. You propose to set aside an area where these weakest and most vulnerable people in society can continue to suffer sexual exploitation (along with the full package of violence and disease) as long as it is in a quiet, out of the way area. Not only is this incredibly uncaring towards the people suffering from addictions, it is the dream situation for the next Willie Pickton. Let's do something about the underlying problem of drug addiction and not shuffle these people off to an area where we can ignore the problem.

[Emile Scheffel]

Arjun:
Whether they agree with your viewpoint or not, the people of Kamloops are lucky to have your courage and willingness to express opinions that may not be popular. Thank you.

[Guy]

I agree in part with what you are suggesting. Legalization, regulation, safe location, enforce health code for the workers may slow it down but it will not stop those with addictions and illnesses from practicing the trade regardless. It would however reduce the crime rate caused by it and keep people like Pickton at bay rather than invite them knowing the chance of getting caught is much higher with regulation in place. If you are not in a state of mind where you can understand what you are doing then how can you possibly follow the rules imposed by a governing body?

For some of the posts that indicate the we should not have to "put up" with this and that permanent hospitalization may a necessary or "clean up or else" are all completely unrealistic and the individual obviously has never taken the time to study the issues of mental illness or severe addiction. By providing a safe place for these people you remove some of the desperation and in turn allow a hint of hope may trickle in.
Arjun, as I have stated many times in the past.. you are breath of fresh air. Keep it up and maybe some of the others will lose their fear or confrontation and join your process.