Chief supports proposed federal prostitution bill
Hanson says social issues need to be addressed
Calgary Police Chief Rick Hanson supports the federal government’s proposed new prostitution bill, but emphasized that both laws and social programs are needed and that the help of all levels of government is required to fight prostitution.
“Bill C-36 is a really good bill,” Hanson said Wednesday.
“But like any issue, there are so many social issues that we’re facing that are falling in the basket of policing. If you truly want to end a problem, then it’s not just about putting people in jail.”
Hanson’s comments come a day after he spoke at a hearing by the House of Commons justice committee as it examines the proposed new prostitution bill, where he — along with other police leaders, as well as former sex workers and aboriginal women — criticized the government’s $20-million pledge to help sex workers leave the industry.
He told the hearing that the pledge, which amounts to about $125,000 a year in Calgary, was “woefully inadequate.”
“When I say the money that’s been put forward is a small amount of money, it’s not only the federal government that has to step up to the plate in this case. It’s going to take a collaborative approach with three levels of government, and a number of help agencies who are already doing a great deal of work in endeavouring to get those women out of that lifestyle,” Hanson said.
He added it’s hard to specify exactly how much money is required until a national strategy is developed.
The funding offer fits the “Nordic model” used by many Scandinavian countries to fight prostitution.
Those who solicit prostitutes or live off the avails of prostitution would be charged while sex workers would be offered help and resources to leave the industry.
“I firmly believe the vast majority of women involved in prostitution — or men, for that matter — are ones who have may have been abused themselves, who are being trafficked by organized crime groups, or suffering from addictions or mental illness. And you need to make sure that the support systems are in place,” Hanson said.
The police chief said he doesn’t believe decriminalizing prostitution is the answer.
Laws are needed to protect communities from the effects of prostitution, including the “blatant strolls” littered with needles and condoms, and johns propositioning every woman walking in the area, whether they are sex workers or not, he said.
In recent years, much of Calgary’s prostitution has moved off the streets and is now being advertised online and over social media, he said, adding police continue to investigate all files.
“You need the laws that allow you to protect the community, but you also need the opportunity to use those laws to get those women out of an unsafe environment and into programs geared to providing the support to get them permanently out of that situation.”
… it’s not just about putting people in jail CALGARY POLICE CHIEF RICK HANSON