Struggle in the Streets: Kamloops Sex Trade

Prostitution law in Canada is confusing.

Exchanging money for sex is legal; however, seeking clients in public places, living off the avails of prostitution and running a bawdy house are all illegal.

For some sex-trade workers, the only option is to do business on the streets.

About four years ago, RCMP conducted a number of sting operations against prostitution in Kamloops, said Kamloops Crown Counsel Stephen Lawhead.

Certain sections of the city were designated "Red Zones" and sex-trade workers, johns and drug dealers were ordered to stay away.

But sex-trade workers still work the streets. Those who work with them say safety conditions are deteriorating. There is a constant fear of being arrested or attacked.

The problems faced by sex-trade workers need to be put higher on society's agenda and discussed, said Lawhead, and options like decriminalization examined.


Produced by Ian Cowie, Rajeshwari Rajimwale and Gisela Gomez

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