Pubdate: Sat, 13 Jun 2015
Source: Record, The (Kitchener, CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Author: Liz Monteiro
Page: B1

ADDICTIONS KEEP SEX WORKERS ON STREETS

Survey presented at region's public health meeting

WATERLOO REGION - Street-level sex trade workers in Waterloo Region
often remain on the streets because of alcohol and drug addictions,
but they also need money to meet basic needs such as food and housing,
a survey shows.

A report on the needs of local sex trade workers reveals the vast
majority of them entered sex work because of a financial need.

"This is not a dream job for me. It's just a matter of figuring out
where else the funds will come from. ... I'd like to have a regular
job and work with clean people, I just don't know how," said one of
the 52 sex trade workers interviewed anonymously for the study.

The report was commissioned by the Sex Workers' Action Network, a
local group that supports sex trade workers. It was presented by
Ginette Lafreniere, associate professor of social work at Wilfrid
Laurier University, at a Region of Waterloo Public Health meeting on
Thursday to agency workers who support sex trade workers.

Angie Murie, co-chair of the sex workers' network, said the survey
interviewed those involved in survival sex work. The group is looking
at ways to help sex trade workers at this moment.

"Where are you in regards to change? You are here. OK let's work with
that," she said. "If you want to stay in sex work then that's your
choice, but let's make it safer for you," she said.

Murie said the group hopes to apply for federal and provincial funding
to hire four "care managers" who will conduct outreach in Kitchener
and Cambridge. Funding would also train social service staff and
police, as well as forming an organized group for the sex trade workers.

All the survey participants - 37 females, 14 males and one transgender
individual - are anonymous. They ranged in age from 19 to 53, with
most of the between 26 and 35.

Of the 52 workers, 14 said they were aboriginal.

More than 80 per cent of participants said they have considered
getting out of sex work and would participate in a program to help
them if one was available.

"I would stop doing this kind of thing (sex work) if I could stop
using drugs. Addiction is difficult and you can just spiral out of
control. I need to get high to go on dates. Every time I do it they
take a little piece of my soul," another woman said.

The survey also showed that women feel unsafe while doing the work and
some have experienced extreme violence at the hands of their johns.

The male workers said they feel safe but they are more concerned with
the stigma associated with being a sex trade worker and the harm that
may come to them if people know.

Most sex trade workers say they count on themselves and not others for
help, including the police.

"My pimp is controlling, passive aggressive, uses sexual abuse, and
uses fear ... he always cuts out pay," said one woman.

Only two workers said they had pimps.

The sex trade workers said they want a safe place to work. Some said
they would ask for help from police, but others said they didn't trust
the police.

"There needs to be an understanding and acceptance of sex work. There
needs to be community support. We need to be in a community that
treats sex workers kindly and with respect," one worker said.

Sara Casselman, of the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo
Region, said sex trade workers must be treated with compassion.

"We have a responsibility to protect the marginalized, and sex workers
are incredibly marginalized," said Casselman, whose agency serves sex
trade workers.

Waterloo Regional Police Deputy Chief Kevin Thaler, who also spoke at
the symposium, said police will continue to monitor the sex trade and
its workers.

"Sex work is inherently dangerous and it attracts a client that
doesn't have noble causes," said Thaler, referring to two sex trade
workers who were slain in 2013.

The role of police is to protect, he said.

"If they (sex trade workers) call us, they think they will be arrested
for their sex work. That is unfounded," Thaler said.

The survey showed drugs and alcohol play a significant role in sex
work. Some do the work to pay for drugs, while others need drugs to do
the work.

"I always have to be high or drunk to do it. It is degrading. I hate
it. ... The alcohol makes you numb. If you don't have alcohol it eats
you inside," a woman said.

Some workers said they started using more drugs and alcohol after
doing sex work.

"Do not make a gross assumption they all have addictions," said
Lafreniere said.
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MAP posted-by: Matt