Seeking Sex Workers and Clients to Participate in Our New Study

[SexSafetySecurity 1145]

There is a gap in knowledge around how people who sell and purchase sexual services exchange information and communicate with one another. Considering the recent changes to Canadian law that are directly impacting the ways that people advertise and communicate it is vital that we address this gap in understandings and work towards the development of a better evidence base to inform the (re)development of policy and law.

 

Most sex industry research focuses on the attitudes, understandings or experiences of either people who provide sexual services (i.e., sex workers) OR the people who purchase these services (i.e., clients). We are seeking to provide a forum for both people who sell and pay for sexual services. We believe that bringing the voices and perspectives together will help to better understand the complexities of the sex industry in Canada, and in particular the factors influencing health and safety within, and in relation to, the industry.

 

Please click the image below to see if you are eligible to participate in this research study.

 

[Nathalie L 112512]

I highly recommend participating in this research study. The researchers are allies of sex workers, and clients, and use their research to inform laws and policies that affect us. We need evidence-based research like this to fight the laws.

 

I participated and the interviewer was very professional, and I trust them to maintain confidentiality of participants.

[JessyCeleste 14078]

Natalie,

 

Thank you so very much for vouching for them and for pointing out the crucial, vital importance of participating.

 

Yours in solidarity,

Jessy

xoxo

[Helena D'Orville 33237]

Hi Ladies. There is a similar study going on at the moment in Victoria. I am not sure yet if I will participate as they ask for our real name (although they say that it will remain confidential) and do voice recording. I am hesitant because of these two reasons. I would like to have your point of view about this ladies, thanks.

[JessyCeleste 14078]

I would also be hesitant, that's smart of you. The source is everything. Who is conducting this study? If it is a university for example, I would feel much better. Loser, fame-wh*re and murderer Luka Magnotta was part of a study done by a university. The crown made a motion wherein he requested Luka's file in this study, siting its relevance to the case. It was shot down by the court who found in favor of the university's stance that 1. They assured all participants confidentiality 2. Anonymity is CRUCIAL to all studies and that these studies are imperative to our society, whether conducted by universities, the private sector, government, anthropology and sociology etc etc etc and that very few would be willing to participate if a precedent for betraying confidentiality existed in any capacity and society as a whole would suffer incredible damage. So its set in stone, they cant release it to anyone, LEGALLY.

 

I put legally in caps because the legality of an action doesn't always stop people from the action. This comes down to who is conducting the study. Furthermore, even if they are reputable and trust-worthy, we get to another issue, security. Are their files secure? Not only physically, from theft or compromise but from hacking as well?

 

I participated in a study conducted by McGill university and they have my full confidence. The study in this thread, I assure you, I will conduct due diligence prior to participating.

 

This being said, I am always nervous about giving up my true identity or other personal information, regardless who it is. I would need them to satisfactorily explain why exactly my name would be necessary for the study. It would have to be a DAMN GOOD reason and I don't see why they would expect those in the sex industry to offer that info up.

 

They will often back off if you make it clear that you will not participate if you have to turn over your personal info Esp if you express shock at their naivety of the industry, for asking such info and not finding a way to allow participants to be anon and actually expect to get anywhere lol Respectfully of course.

 

In terms of voice recording, depending on the length of the recording, you could always just alter your voice. Frankly, without your personal info and without video/pictures, a voice recording in a study wouldn't really prove much. I wouldn't be too nervous about that part.

 

One last time, be sure who it is who is conducting the study and be wary of where you meet them. If you want to take an extra step to protect yourself, you can opt to wear shades and a hat in case there is a covert video recording, but if I had such a concern, I wouldn't go in the first place.

 

That's my take on this.

Good luck and make the decision that's right for you. My last bit of advice would be follow your gut and if you have doubts, better safe than sorry.

 

xoxo

[Helena D'Orville 33237]

Thank you very much for all your insights Jessy, it does help me to take a decision.

[SexSafetySecurity 1145]

We will be closing down the survey portion of the Street-to-Screen project on the 15th of August. At that time we will begin the vital, but time consuming, process of transcribing and sorting through the 100s of hours of interviews and analyzing the wealth of survey responses about the diverse ways that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) influence how people involved in the sale and purchase of sexual services develop connections, exchange information, and negotiate the details of the sex for money exchange. Our first use of this information will be to prepare a detailed report for the Department of Justice Canada as an addendum to our participation at the round table inquiry on Former Bill C-36 that was held in Vancouver on 24 March 2017. Beyond this, we will be producing policy reports, academic analyses, and media statements that adequately represent the full range of the contributions and experiences of the people who have taken the time and opportunity to speak out through this project.

 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the many service providers/escorts/sex workers and clients who are members of this community who have provided such positive feedback and support for the research over the past year.

 

Thanks to your contributions this project will represent a large number of voices and experiences of people involved in the sale and purchase of the sexual services. These numbers make a difference, particularly for policy makers, legislators and judiciary that place a high value on evidence for the development of policy and in making determinations about the constitutionality of law.

 

For those of you who still wish to make your contribution to this important and one of a kind project, it is not too late. The online survey will remain accessible until the 15th of August https://www.street-to-screen.ca.