Prostitution is exploitative

Re: Why the delays in reforming prostitution law? Oct. 3.

Tyler Dawson argues Canada’s prostitution laws put prostituted women in danger, and must be changed. But it’s not the laws that put women in danger. Nor is it their location. It’s the violent buyers, pimps and traffickers who prey on and abuse them.

Where there is prostitution, there is violence. Arguing women’s choices or actions could make it marginally safer places the responsibility for reducing the danger and violence on the wrong shoulders. If we are serious about addressing the violence in prostitution, we need to address the source, as Bill C-36 does.

It recognizes that prostitution is inherently exploitive and dangerous, and violates both human dignity and equality between the sexes. It refutes the notion that buying sex is an inevitable in our society. It explicitly denounces and prohibits the purchase of sex, because that’s what creates the demand for prostitution, which in turn fuels trafficking.

Dawson criticizes john schools. But these are vital in helping sex buyers understand the impact of their actions, an essential part of shifting attitudes and working to end demand.

Prostitution is a profoundly unjust system that exploits poor and vulnerable persons. Julia Beazley, director, public policy, The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, Ottawa