Warning: Abolitionist Tour Coming to Canadian Cities

[Guest W***ledi*Time]

Nothing in Quebec or the Maritimes. Though reading this was enough for me. No need to hear them speak.

 

They use the hot topic of sex trafficking and then focus on the morality of sex work. Migrant labour is not the same as trafficking - be it for sex work, agriculture or domestic work. Focusing on morality rather than working conditions (as well as the economic choices available to women) does not impress me or move me.

[Alexandra-Sky 12606]

Eye rolllllllll, sigh and *punch*. That's all

[Malika Fantasy 144625]

I am a sex worker,but also a whore. And a proud one.

 

I can sin as much as I want, I am not even christian

 

And I don't do drugs and I choose to be a hooker...

 

I don't need to be save...I hate those type of people...

[baileydog 9367]

maybe I should cancel my subscription to the National Post

 

Barbara is always a little out of touch with the main view of the National Post ... who have been very supportive over the last few months of Ontario Justice Susan Himel stiking down three anti-prostitution laws with several editorials with this view during the current court review

[JuliasUndies 7288]

I would like to hear what she has to say and will do my best to remember the dates. I enjoy hearing all aspects of the trade, especially since I think a lot of owners/madame's are...and this one wants to save them? This has got to be some good entertainment.

[Guest Ser***der]

I would like to say that I am open minded and tolerant of all views but Julia's response reminded me that I am not. A little humble pie never hurts.

I would have absolutely no interest in listening to this (long ranting omitted) stuff. But, they, like I, are entitled to their opinion. However if there opinions turn into laws that affecty choice..,

I have decided in the end that I am okay with not listening to everything. I abhor human trafficking and completely support legalization of the sex trade ( though it always strikese odd to legalize, kind of like legalizing breathing). I feel no internal angst because of this view.

But, following Julia's example, I will keep thinking.

Posted via Mobile Device

[Guest W***ledi*Time]

For me, what makes this tour newsworthy is not that it recycles the same old tired disinformation. What makes it of interest is that it dovetails perfectly, both in timing and ideology, with the proposed federal legislation to outlaw the purchase of sexual services. This legislation, as we know, is also claimed to be part of a supposed anti-trafficking strategy.

 

This tour will effectively act as a well-timed publicity-campaign. It will aim to warm the public and members of parliament up to an acceptance of this false conflation of the two issues, immediately prior to the introduction of the bill in parliament - which is also based on the identical false conflation.

[JuliasUndies 7288]

As a "sex worker" myself, I like to dable in the news and keep posted on "what I'm up against", the truths and such of the industry and how it's viewed by many different sides. It's important to me to stay up to date and informed about this trade and keep educated by listening and know what everyone else is hearing and saying.

I can imagine that this tour will involve laws and all the stereotypes and may tick me off. Good thing for me I don't mind standing up. But above all like I mentioned, I never had much faith in the words of a madame..so it would probably be more entertaining than informative, since I have already formed my opinions pre-tour about the speaker (former madame to 500 "homeless or hopelessly drug addicted"), wow, she should get a ...metal? A tour to exploit the girls she hired and worked for her, hand picked??? Now, I've said too much. Cheers!

And yes, what impecable timing I say!

[fortunateone 156618]

It may be worth noting that Tania wrote a book, and no doubt would like sell more copies.

 

Also she ran illegal brothels, illegal agencies, out of apartment/condos, and probably found herself afoul of the law.

 

She also gained a reputation on review boards for getting banned (self promotions/shilling/fake reviews/multiple handles), then creating new handles over and over to do it again. She spent a great deal of money on photos, advertising, location, etc, then in recruiting workers. I have a hard time seeing her as someone totally focused on paying legal fees in custody cases, if she was spending that much on self promotion, that could have been spent elsewhere. She also used face pics, not exactly the M.O. of someone who is desperately seeking custody, imo, as that sort of sp would be far less likely to expose herself that way.

 

She also was revealed to posting w4w ads on casual encounters CL to seek out women that she would then talk into the business. She also managed to hire a 16 or 17 year old girl in her micros.

 

I mean, as a predator and manipulator, she's quite infamous. At the end of the day, I think her role as former sex worker/abolitionist is another master plan of manipulation to take advantage of yet another group of people.

[Capital Hunter 18263]

It may be worth noting that Tania wrote a book, and no doubt would like sell more copies.

 

Also she ran illegal brothels, illegal agencies, out of apartment/condos, and probably found herself afoul of the law.

 

She also gained a reputation on review boards for getting banned (self promotions/shilling/fake reviews/multiple handles), then creating new handles over and over to do it again. She spent a great deal of money on photos, advertising, location, etc, then in recruiting workers. I have a hard time seeing her as someone totally focused on paying legal fees in custody cases, if she was spending that much on self promotion, that could have been spent elsewhere. She also used face pics, not exactly the M.O. of someone who is desperately seeking custody, imo, as that sort of sp would be far less likely to expose herself that way.

 

She also was revealed to posting w4w ads on casual encounters CL to seek out women that she would then talk into the business. She also managed to hire a 16 or 17 year old girl in her micros.

 

I mean, as a predator and manipulator, she's quite infamous. At the end of the day, I think her role as former sex worker/abolitionist is another master plan of manipulation to take advantage of yet another group of people.

 

Tania Fiolleau who herself was a prostitute and a madame running a brothel of 500 prostitutes suddenly is now a new born whatever and found the soul in her parts (and her books on sale helps too of course). Very interesting and with the long list of cheatings noted above

 

This is part of a coordinated campaign by the Cons and their supporters to make prostitution outlawed and change the public opinion (currently in favor of legalizing all aspects of prostitution for safety reasons) in their favor. If the sex workers in the profession and those in industry do not counter this campaign (by coming out and disclosing all these lies, and saying that they are not drug addicts and are in this profession by choice not force and ......NOW) they will likely succeed, unfortunately.

[Kubrickfan 12836]

Ahhh ... So this is really a book tour. (smile)

 

Now I understand!

[SamanthaEvans 166766]

I agree with fortunateone: Tania was the kind of sex worker who gives most of us a very bad name. And it's not an accident that she has a book out that she wants to promote. I also find it telling that she believes that nearly all of the women she pimped out were drug addicts. I don't believe it, to begin with, but if it's true, it says more about her and what she was willing to do to make money for her own purposes than it does about anything else.

 

I also take offense against her sob-story about being a poor woman who was battling for the custody of her children, all the way to the SCC, but who says she managed, on the way, to become a wealthy entrepreneur and madam, managing the work and skimming off the incomes of up to 500 women.

 

I came into this business because I was battling for the custody of my children, too. Sex work made it possible to pay the bills and look after my kids. If I'd had the skills, the insights and above all the time to become a high-flying madam, well, I sure wouldn't be biting the hands of those who made it possible for me to do what I needed to do to care for my children.

 

That she says that she found Jesus and has repented of her old life also doesn't wash with me. She's still caught up in the sex trade, but from a different angle. And I don't think that Jesus aimed to make a lot of women unemployed and unemployable, either. He was more likely to have dinner with them and a lot of other social outcasts, like tax collectors and political insurgents.

 

Having ended that little rant, I want to point out that there are things we can do. We can attend these meetings and ask questions. We can also write letters to the editors of our local papers, websites, radio stations, etc., and raise a few points.

 

1. Canada already has laws against human trafficking. What's wrong with them? Why do we need new laws?
   
2. How many victims of human trafficking is she talking about? Where does she get her data? The simple fact is that there is no straightforward way to count migrant and/or trafficked workers, anywhere. They don't report in to some agency or register with employment services organizations.
   
3. How does she distinguish between trafficked labour and migrant labour? What concern can she demonstrate for people who are forced to travel to other countries, against their will, to work as farm labourers, construction labourers and domestic labourers?
   
4. Is she really supporting those who are trying to prevent immigration of all kinds, or who are migrant workers who come to North America to work as undocumented labourers?
   
5. Prohibitionists frequently see all women migrants as sexually vulnerable above all other considerations (such as needing to earn money to support family members in their countries of origin). They lump women and children together as though women were children with no agency or decision-making authority. They characterize women as incapable of initiating migration or as incapable of making a free choice to do sex work rather than the kinds of menial, underpaid jobs ordinarily available to undocumented, illegal immigrants. Is she branding all women who migrate to Canada as trafficked prostitutes?
   
6. Some migrants come here and decide to work in the sex trade instead of other kinds of work. Is she opposed to their migration, or just prostitution?
   
7. Many women resist being "rescued" from prostitution. How does she account for this?
   
8. If her concern is for women who engage in street prostitution, how does she account for the preponderance of substance addiction and mental illness found among SWs? What steps is she taking to campaign against the illicit drug trade? In what ways does she advocate for everyone's immediate access to mental health services?
   
9. In what ways is she pressuring local, provincial and federal governments and law enforcement agencies to uphold the laws we already have against trafficking and pimping? How does she hope to increase the number of charges and convictions for these crimes?
   
10. What plans does she suggest for the women whom she is attempting to put out of work? How will she ensure that they are able to earn a liveable income, live in safe conditions and retain custody of their children?
    

[JuliasUndies 7288]

It may be worth noting that Tania wrote a book, and no doubt would like sell more copies.

 

Also she ran illegal brothels, illegal agencies, out of apartment/condos, and probably found herself afoul of the law.

 

She also gained a reputation on review boards for getting banned (self promotions/shilling/fake reviews/multiple handles), then creating new handles over and over to do it again. She spent a great deal of money on photos, advertising, location, etc, then in recruiting workers. I have a hard time seeing her as someone totally focused on paying legal fees in custody cases, if she was spending that much on self promotion, that could have been spent elsewhere. She also used face pics, not exactly the M.O. of someone who is desperately seeking custody, imo, as that sort of sp would be far less likely to expose herself that way.

 

She also was revealed to posting w4w ads on casual encounters CL to seek out women that she would then talk into the business. She also managed to hire a 16 or 17 year old girl in her micros.

 

I mean, as a predator and manipulator, she's quite infamous. At the end of the day, I think her role as former sex worker/abolitionist is another master plan of manipulation to take advantage of yet another group of people.

 

No kidding? So this is true? I'm going to assume this is true and tada, that's what I had this lady pegged for. I bet she is reading this right now. I think for sure she is not here to help. This will be entertaining for sure! I won't go if I have to pay for tickets for a seat but I will go just to tell her to EAT IT! CAN WE ALL GO AND TELL HER TO EAT IT TOGETHER???

[Capital Hunter 18263]

Samantha thanks for the rep points. Yes In my view, first, best for each person to write to their respective MPs, second to take part in polls and third making comments on discussion boards (political boards, escorts, ....) and no I don't believe in shouting and demonstrations on parliament hill as I think if it ends up in violence (or clashes with police) it will be counterproductive, but lastly and MOST IMPORTANTLY for sex workers to come out and let the public know that they are not in this profession by force but choice (talking to news media, gatherings, papers may be anonymously or not), that they are born here (not trafficked as they try to abuse the trafficking thing to score points with public) and to show that sex workers are ordinary ladies with brains and class just like the girl next door so that the public can see the true pictures rather than the false stereotype image of drug addicts painted by the abolishinists. In This last but most effective activity I can not help because only the sex workers can do this part not me. These are on the top of my head. Any other suggestions? anyone?

 

My problem however, (as you have noted from my past posts) I am not in this full heartedly. I mean I am against legalization or even decriminalization of sex work. I believe that only voluntary prostitution (a percentage but not all types) should be decriminalize and those take part in forcing/pimping, running bawdy houses, exploitation of women (clients or pimps) violence against women should be severly punished. I believe status quo is the best compromise with some modifications. I also believe those who want out or forced should be helped out by putting aside some public funds. However I believe decriminalization provides a lot more protection to sex workers than the Nordic model and am prepared to campaign for it (the less of two evils for me so to speak bit by no means the perfect solution in my view).

[Nicolette Vaughn 294340]

Tania Foilleau seems to have her own agenda and she has found the perfect spot to do it by participating in this tour across Canada against human trafficking. I'm sure she'll sell more books and laugh alll the way to the bank.

 

To Tania Foilleau... once a hooker, always a hooker.

 

Sincerely,

 

A Hooker not looking to be saved.

[castle 38816]

Yeah....I started reading and then got to "Prostitution is one of those social toxins that never goes away" and realized that finishing the article would have been a complete and utter waste of a few minutes....and by my estimates I've only got about 40 years left on this planet...and I intend to use every minute wisely....and there's clearly nothing wise about this article. Quite the opposite actually.

[SamanthaEvans 166766]

. . . but . . . MOST IMPORTANTLY for sex workers to come out and let the public know that they are not in this profession by force but choice (talking to news media, gatherings, papers may be anonymously or not), that they are born here (not trafficked as they try to abuse the trafficking thing to score points with public) and to show that sex workers are ordinary ladies with brains and class just like the girl next door so that the public can see the true pictures rather than the false stereotype image of drug addicts painted by the abolishinists. In This last but most effective activity I can not help because only the sex workers can do this part not me. These are on the top of my head. Any other suggestions? anyone?

 

SA, you and I don't agree about a number of things, as we've seen in other threads, but we deal with each other pretty well, nevertheless. And so, in that spirit, I challenge you to come out, in public, along with the sex workers who are able to take a public position.

 

Workers can, indeed, make effective statements about why they're in the sex trade; that they weren't brainwashed or trafficked into it; that they are, as you say, normal, ordinary women; that they're not drug addicts or slaves; that they don't rely on pimps, but they do want to be able to employ driver and bodyguards, as necessary; and that they want to have the freedom to live with whomever they choose without concern that those others may be charged with living on the avails of prostitution and being found in a bawdy house.

 

Men can--and should--come out, too. Prohibitionists such as Tania make a lot of hay in their endless statements that the men who engage prostitutes are violent, degrading, abusive and dangerous. They portray men as seeking out sex workers because they believe that it's okay to abuse, injure and murder us. Occasionally, they'll allow that some men are not violent, they're just desperate; can't get a date any other way; have gross physical limitations, disabilities or deformities that most women can't cope with; and that the last thing any of them is interested in is "normal" sex. None of these stereotypes is true, of course.

 

It would make an enormous difference if men who enjoy spending time with paid companions would simply come out, in public, and say so. They can demonstrate by their very presence and openness that they are not what the prohibitionists and fear-mongers say they are.

 

SA, you go to great lengths to ensure that you see companions only within the limits of the laws as they are now. Since what you do is completely legal, you have nothing to be ashamed of. I challenge you to stand up and be counted.

[Capital Hunter 18263]

If will count myself in by the way I described earlier however as I mentioned I don't believe in shouting demonstrations I will stand up however by taking part in commentaries, polls and may be even peaceful demos depending on some factors and limitations. Like yourself I have my limitations too (unlike you not on the child/family side but else). I will be promoting status quo only since as I mentioned I am against the decriminalization of prostitution so I can't promote that since if there will be increases in abuse, trafficking, exploitation as a result of its implementation (which I believe there will be) then I will be morally responsible for that.

 

One suggestion that I like to make is that if anyone who finds out about polls, political article where we can add comments, media reports and commentaries, peaceful demos, anything related to this event where members can contribute or take part please post the list or events here on cerb. Thanks.

[Alexandra-Sky 12606]

What evidence, exactly, are you basing your argument that decrim will worsen conditions for sex workers? Also, I'm sick and tired of hearing about how decrim will increase the exploitation of women. Women have been being exploited since the beginning of time: we don't get paid for ALL the labour we do around the house: cooking, cleaning, raising children etc, we get paid 70 percent of what men get paid as a whole, women are being legally trafficked into canada under what is known as the 'nanny program' in which basically their life and legal status is dependant on their canadian master, migrant workers are farming all over rural ontario for the rest of us to eat, and then treated like trash and not paid well and then deported when we no longer need their labour. The list goes on and on. And before you go accusing me of being an angry feminist, you can look up all of what i have just said and find that they are not just my opinion of things, but all of this is indeed factual. If people actually cared about the exploitation of women, they'd be working to ensure that all of what i just mentioned above and more wasn't happening. For those who are against prostitution (which they claim to be the same as trafficking), they don't actually care about all of what i have just listed. What they care about is the sex part...

 

 

If will count myself in by the way I described earlier however as I mentioned I don't believe in shouting demonstrations I will stand up however by taking part in commentaries, polls and may be even peaceful demos depending on some factors and limitations. Like yourself I have my limitations too (unlike you not on the child/family side but else). I will be promoting status quo only since as I mentioned I am against the decriminalization of prostitution so I can't promote that since if there will be increases in abuse, trafficking, exploitation as a result of its implementation (which I believe there will be) then I will be morally responsible for that.

 

One suggestion that I like to make is that if anyone who finds out about polls, political article where we can add comments, media reports and commentaries, peaceful demos, anything related to this event where members can contribute or take part please post the list or events here on cerb. Thanks.

[ottawaadventurer 5114]

Alexandra - first off, being called an angry feminist is not an insult... If I was a woman, i'd be an angry feminist too. As you so aptly point out, in many areas of life, women are not treated equally. Decrim, for me, would be major step in the right direction. As a man, I am allowed to sell my body - to lift, lug, carry, show up.... Sex should be no different. Consenting adults should be able to identify their marketable assets and charge for them. If I was a good looking man with a hot body I'd be a male escort in a heartbeat.

 

And I believe that political views as worthless, if not expressed and exercised. Not a criticism to SA as he made it clear he would express in other ways. But I do think that those who chose to stay home and bury their heads in the sand get the society they deserve... Or secretly want.

 

Sigh - ok. Time to stop. I'm gonna make enemies and there's been enough drama on this board this week... :-)

[Alexandra-Sky 12606]

Adventurer: I agree with everything you said. If I was not on my iPhone right now, I'd nominate your post. Xo

[Guest E*******h S******s]

There are regulations in place to ensure safety in the workplace for employees of construction companies, hospitals, manufacturing, etc. Decriminalizing prostitution would allow sex workers that same protection. I fail to see how that is a bad thing.

[Lowdark 5613]

There are a few things about the article that make me pause. First, is an article or an Editorial? Because if it's an article, it's awfully bias. There is no balance, but plenty of personal opinion is injected by the writer. And obvisously, not a lot of background research was done into the former madame's past. isn't that suppossed to be journalistic prudence? And secondly, 500 women? That seems a little logistically difficult. Maybe I'm just naieve.

 

The information on this women's past, where she was banned from certain forums, broke the rules and used CL, now defunct, to recruit-is that available anywhere? Because it would make a very tidy letter to any news outlet devoting serious attention to this tour. And I sometimes suspect that there are a number of media types on this board, so . . .

 

How does she account for the women on CERB for instance, who, drug free, intelleigent and classy, choose and enjoy their profession? Did she not encounter any women like this in her 500 employees (assuming that number's valid)? Or were thay all the stereotypical social pariahs feeding their addictions?

 

I will also be intersted to see what sort of media attention Sun Media offers the tour, since those papers make a good chunk of change from selling classified ads to SPs, MAs and other erotic services, as well as advertising to SCs.

 

And Alexandra is right on the money. It is only obsolete social hypocrisy that is focusing on prostitution as the problem behind the abhorrent practice of human trafficking. How often has Fox News, for instance, done stories on the millions of migrant workers in the U.S. working for pennies a day with no protection before being shipped home unceremoniously? How often has the CBC? Aren't these worthy stories of human trafficking?

 

Just some thoughts.

[Capital Hunter 18263]

You quoted me Alexandra, so I am not sure if you meant me when you said accusing you of an angry feminist!!!!. I love feminists and my entire family and myself have been so all my life. Can you please quote the post that I accused you or anyone of angry feminist. If you can not back it up then I am respectfully asking you to please either retract your comments or edit your post (by not quoting my post underneath).

 

I am sorry but I expressed what I believe in and that is I am against decriminalization of prostitution. Only consenting prostitution should be allowed and everything else outlawed and based on my readings (likely from biased sources) it is not a great percentage. When I read that a (likely high) percentage of ladies are in this business because they have no choice (need the money bad for drugs, hate what they do and it has long term disasterous pcychological effects on them or being forced into prostitution by pimp, BF or hobby, having to put up with abusive unclean clients because of desparate need for drugs or young girls promised good jobs and upon arrival their passports confiscated and forced into prostitution) my heart goes out to them and feel sad. when I read the pcychological effects on those forced into prostitution and how it adversely affects their lives, I wonder if sooner or later I will meet one without knowing, if I have not already.... There is a need to put public funding aside and help those who want out to earn skills required to get an alternative job (If those abolishinists really care this is the direction they should go. If there is money for prisons there is money for social care too). I am also against the establishment of red light districts like in Germany or Holland where women are put to show behind a window in public like a commodity for sale.

 

The fact that women have been exploited ever since (and it is a very sad fact, and still are in many regions) does not make exploitation of any kind okay. It is regretful that it happened/happening or will happen and we should take steps to prevent or minimize exploitation of any kind. You asked (I guess me) what evidence I have that decriminalization will increase human trafficking or exploitation of women, then I point to the two countries, Sweden and Holland. In which of the two countries human trafficking is more extensive and (forced) prostitution more widespread? This belief is also based on logic that criminals always seek easy targets, however, I can equally ask you what evidence do you have that decriminalization will result in less human trafficking or less (forced) prostitution?

 

I believe that the Nordic model will provide a very unsafe environment for sex workers and clients alike and the total decriminalization will result in widesread human trafficking and (forced) prostitution as the criminals would seek easy targets. That is why I support status quo and I believe that the laws we have now are the best compromise between the two (even better with some modifications on hiring guards and drivers). The status quo has made on-line escorting virtually legal (no crack downs on incalls unless complains made or abuse or underage cases involved. Outcalls legal), fights street prostitution (mostly drugs and force involve), trafficking outlawed, relative safety for non-SW sex workers, pimping outlawed, public solicitation outlawed. Not perfect but as I said in my view the best compromise solution.

 

I can not support something and even worse campaign for something ( like decriminalization) that I don't believe in and worse I am against it, and I am sorry that our views are in conflict but I am equally entitled to my views.

 

ps - SA has outlined in detail what he plans to do and his limitations within that plan. I challenge those who may be critical, to outline theirs in same detail, if they dare (This is not directed at anyone as I don't wish to make enemies lol!!).

[SamanthaEvans 166766]

SA, I never thought that you would take a public stance in favour of decriminalizing prostitution. You've been clear about liking things the way they are even though you know that the current laws put women in enormous danger and make street workers easy prey for the likes of Robert Picton. I don't know what you think of him or the women he killed, but it is no longer possible to consider that the stories of missing and murdered women are exaggerations or fabrications. Picton is reported telling a stoolpigeon in his jail cell that he'd killed 49 women, and wanted to make it 50 before he retired from his work. He had every reason to think he would succeed, too, since the Vancouver City Police didn't t consider aboriginal prostitutes to be a priority.

 

It is troubling to me that anyone should imagine that by only engaging paid companions in outcalls, and thereby staying within the narrow limits of the law, no one connected with those outcalls is working illegally. If men who seek outcalls use escort agencies, they know they're dealing with a pimp or a madam--people who are living off the avails of prostitution. Agencies are very good at matching up clients' sexual interests with the things their girls are or are not willing to do while quoting prices for the services the client wants. True, telephone conversations are considered private communication and so the agencies aren't subject to prosecution, but everyone knows this is a smokescreen. If the SP is driven to her meeting by someone else, that driver is also living off the avails, because he's working for the agency, even if the SP is, technically, working legally. The courts have long been clear about this: prostitutes are not entitled to use drivers or bodyguards; if they do, those staff are living on the avails. It's true that it's not difficult to get around this since agency outcalls are arranged privately and no one really pays much attention as long as everything is done quietly, without disturbing the neighbours. But, again, it's a smokescreen.

 

My point is not to split legal hairs or quibble about details, however. What I'm trying to say is that thoughtful people recognize that it is impossible for a woman to work as a prostitute legally if she involves anyone else in her work. But if she doesn't--if she sets up her calls, herself, and drives herself to meet the client at his hotel or home--she puts herself at enormous risk, with no back-up immediately available to her if she needs it.

 

Tania will make her tour and she will consistently exaggerate any numbers she refers to. I, for one, have no problem imagining that, over the course of her career as a madam, she may well have worked with 500 women. Most women don't stay in the sex trade for more than a few months, if that. High turnover at agencies is believable to me, particularly if the agency knowingly accepts women with addictions, as she claims to have done. In fact, she claims that all of the women who worked for her were addicts. I find that very hard to believe, but I'm sure she can't prove it and I know that I can't, either. I do know that the best agencies in Vancouver haven't worked this way in eons and they won't take on just any pretty woman who applies to be on their list.

 

Everyone should question the stories of thousands of women in every large city who are the victims of coercive pimps or who have been forced to work in virtual or actual slavery in the sex trade. It's not that this doesn't happen. It does. But it's not the norm. Almost 90% of sex workers in Canada work indoors. While there are more prostitutes in every city than most people would ever imagine, anyone can see that our streets are not clogged with women plying their trade. I invite you to go out some evening around 9:00 p.m. and drive through the area where your city's street workers are. Count them. Recognize that you won't be able to see all of them--some will be working in a nearby alley or car or a cheap hotel and some work during the daytime but not at night. Others may work much later than 9:00. Some work in the very wee hours of the morning. My own estimate, as someone who spends a lot of time in the Downtown Eastside where I do volunteer work with a poverty agency, is that the number of street workers in this city may be only 3-5%. But more than 500 have gone missing or been found murdered in the last 40 years.

 

Decriminalization will not increase human trafficking or sexual slavery. We can look at the experiences of places like Australia and New Zealand, neither of which report any increase in trafficking for sex work. They do note that there are many migrant workers who go to their countries because they choose to participate in the legal sex trade. Migrants make choices; they are not "trafficked." As for coercing women into the sex trade in these countries, it doesn't work. Men have no need to resort to illegally obtaining something that they can get legally and safely.

 

At the end of the day, though, Tania and her friends want to bring a halt to the sex trade. Tania has made millions of dollars in this industry in the past and she's still expecting to make money from it today by exploiting her stories of the women she claims worked for her; by exploiting the social stigma attached to prostitution that prevents many of us in this industry from being able to speak out and challenge her in person, in public; and by exploiting the naiveté of her readers--by those who buy her book. She will earn royalties of about 10-12% on the sales, by the way.

 

No one here agrees with trafficking women into prostitution. None of the paid companions on this board or anywhere else will say that women should be forced to do this work, against their will. None of us will encourage children to be exploited sexually, either. I daresay that we all want not just good laws against trafficking, coercion and exploitation, but also diligent, vigorous enforcement of those laws.

 

And we want to be able to work safely.

 

Tania found Jesus. She says that's why she "turned her life around." I like Jesus, too. Nothing he's reported to have said or done has anything to do with prostitutes. Prostitution isn't even condemned in the Bible, though it is frowned-upon. Slavery is accepted as a given, however, and slave owners are admonished to treat their slaves well.

 

If Tania's new-found religion has helped her find peace, I'm happy for her. However, I believe that Jesus was all about compassion, and I find that quality to be somewhat limited in Tania's analysis. She has compassion for women who don't want to be in the sex trade, but she has none for those of us who do. I, for one, can't understand why Tania's religious epiphany should mean that I should not be able to make a living, doing what I choose to do, providing a valuable service to those who seek me out and who I'm willing to meet with.

 

<end of long posts for awhile!>