calling all Ottawa sex workers!

[VedaSloan 119179]

POWER (Prostitutes of Ottawa/Gatineau Work, Educate, Resist) needs you!

 

We are conducting a needs assessment over the months of March and April which consists of approximately 50-70 interviews with area sex workers, female, male, transexual, from any sector.

 

We need interview participants from Ottawa only for a 30-40 minute interview, which can be done over the phone, or in person. While we cannot pay you, we do have a $20 gift card as a way of saying thanks. We have two days set up for drop-in interviews, March 21 and March 28. If you prefer to do it over the phone, I will match you with an interviewer based on your availability.

 

This information will allow POWER to better advocate for your needs.

 

I am the research co-ordinator for this project, so please PM me for details. As well, tell your friends! We need all the participants we can get.

 

Thanks much!

 

PS Everything is anonymous, your name will never be used or even asked for. I am in charge of all the data that comes in and it will be on a password protected jump drive kept in a locked drawer at the ACO.

[VedaSloan 119179]

Just an update!

 

We still need participants! It's really easy and the information we get will help us to better fight for your needs. This is your chance to tell us what you need!

 

Again, drop in interviews are being done at the following times:

 

March 21 from noon-6 at Pink Triangle Services

March 23 from 2-6pm at Centre Espoir Sophie

March 25 from 11-6 at the ACO.

 

OR

 

You can email me and I'll arrange a confidential phone interview, which takes approx 30-40 mins.

 

Thanks much!

 

xo Erin

[p22*** 236]

So I just completed the phone survey. Ladies I promise its painless. In fact its nice to advocate for an industry that is always seen as dirty and criminal. I love what I do and I love the men that I see. I would love too see in my time, escorting become legal and socially acceptable.

 

But before acceptance comes awareness. Lets advocate for Ottawa Sp's, we are educated, beautiful, nurturing lovers, who are wife's, mothers, daughters and sister's.

 

Kisses and big thanks to Erin.

[mod 135640]

Escorting is actually legal Paige, it's the in-calls that are illegal. Outcalls are very much legal in Canada. (Just wanted to mention this as I hate to see bad info get passed around - some people still don't realize that the law in Canada allows non-public solicited prostitution to be legal as long as it does not take place in a common bawdy house) - A common bawdy house is a location that is frequently used as a place of prostitution.

[p22*** 236]

How come you here of sp's getting arrested doing outcalls???

[mod 135640]

In Canada? Not that I know of and I have been in the business for 12+ years and in the stripclub business for many years before that.

 

In the USA yes, prostitution is illegal except for the legal brothels outside Vegas. I am not aware of anywhere else in the USA where prostitution is legal.

 

In Canada it's legal unless you tricked into speaking about sex in public. In Winnipeg recently the police were asking the ladies to a hotel and asking them to join them for a drink in the lounge (a public place) before going to the room. If in public you discuss anything that could be related to the call or sex and proceed to the room you have now committed a offense (Public Solicitation).

 

If you make the booking by phone or email (or chatroom or pm) and go to a PRIVATE apartment/condo/house/hotel room/etc... (and close the door so it is just you and him in the room) it is no longer a PUBLIC PLACE so you are free to discuss sex in private for the exchange of money.

 

Prostitution is LEGAL in Canada it's the surrounding laws that make it hard to follow the law.

 

1) No pimping (Living off the avails of prostitution if you are not the one prostituting)

2) No public solicitation (Aka: discussions of sex in a public place - you can advertise in newspapers and magazines and online without breaking this law)

3) No procuring (Bringing someone into the business)

4) No common bawdy house (No in call locations - this is usually only a problem with multiple ladies are working our of a location or a business like a massage spa offering full service but technically a single lady working out of one location is a common bawdy house by definition but the police seam to ignore this and they should as it's safer for the ladies to work this way and they are not harming anyone)

5) No underage (18 years of age)

 

If you follow those rules your ok so outcall prostitution where you are the only one profiting from your actions, you do not discuss ANYTHING in public and you are of legal age and do not coherse someone else into getting into the business your ok. You also can not legally bring someone to a place of prostitution (Read section 210-212 of the criminal code of Canada - I think we have a link here in the Canada Law on Prostitution page).

 

Some municipalities (windsor, calgary, edmonton, winnipeg that I know of) have municipal licenses (These are ways for the local police and municipal bylaw officers to combat prostitution without dealing with the criminal code - it helps them scare the ladies out of the city as they are not wanted - really it's crap as the "Escort" license says it's for dating and not prostitution as they can not license prostitutes.

 

Note: A municipal bylaw offense is NOT a criminal charge, you do not get a record or go to jail for this. You pay a fine (like a parking ticket)

[Guest i***k***]

So I just completed the phone survey. Ladies I promise its painless. In fact its nice to advocate for an industry that is always seen as dirty and criminal. I love what I do and I love the men that I see. I would love too see in my time, escorting become legal and socially acceptable.

 

But before acceptance comes awareness. Lets advocate for Ottawa Sp's, we are educated, beautiful, nurturing lovers, who are wife's, mothers, daughters and sister's.

 

Kisses and big thanks to Erin.

 

Very well said!

[rickoshadows 937]

How come you here of sp's getting arrested doing outcalls???

 

Being arrested is very different from actually being charged and having a day in court. I makes good publicity for the local police as they are seen to be doing something and it makes for a titillating splash in the local paper. I don't know where to finds stats on this, but you rarely hear about the actual court cases associated with these arrests and I suspect most of them quietly disappear as the crown chooses not to proceed.

[p22*** 236]

Its my understanding that if your doing an outcall you can and will be arrested as soon as you ask or accept donation??? MOD I am curious you are saying no we can not be??? Its legal to show up as an escort, but the exchange of money is illegal...???

[Capital Hunter 18263]

It is my understanding that outcalls are legal for both the lady and the hobbyist for as long as details of sex and/or exchange of money is NOT carried out in a public place (that is if the lady gets inside the hotel room or apartment or house and close the door and discusses sex or exchange the money inside the closed doors, they are both legal in canada).

 

I personally never take incalls. I greet the lady at the elevator. Kiss her on the face. Walk with her to my apartment. I close the door. Hung her jacket. Ask her to please take a sit on the sofa and the money is in an open envelope right in front of her with her name and the dollar amount written on the back of the envelope.

[Parker 19761]

In the USA yes, prostitution is illegal except for the legal brothels outside Vegas. I am not aware of anywhere else in the USA where prostitution is legal.

 

 

 

Rhode Island is another state, they have similar prostitution laws to Canada.

[Capital Hunter 18263]

In Canada? Not that I know of and I have been in the business for 12+ years and in the stripclub business for many years before that.

 

In the USA yes, prostitution is illegal except for the legal brothels outside Vegas. I am not aware of anywhere else in the USA where prostitution is legal.

 

In Canada it's legal unless you tricked into speaking about sex in public. In Winnipeg recently the police were asking the ladies to a hotel and asking them to join them for a drink in the lounge (a public place) before going to the room. If in public you discuss anything that could be related to the call or sex and proceed to the room you have now committed a offense (Public Solicitation).

 

If you make the booking by phone or email (or chatroom or pm) and go to a PRIVATE apartment/condo/house/hotel room/etc... (and close the door so it is just you and him in the room) it is no longer a PUBLIC PLACE so you are free to discuss sex in private for the exchange of money.

 

Prostitution is LEGAL in Canada it's the surrounding laws that make it hard to follow the law.

 

1) No pimping (Living off the avails of prostitution if you are not the one prostituting)

2) No public solicitation (Aka: discussions of sex in a public place - you can advertise in newspapers and magazines and online without breaking this law)

3) No procuring (Bringing someone into the business)

4) No common bawdy house (No in call locations - this is usually only a problem with multiple ladies are working our of a location or a business like a massage spa offering full service but technically a single lady working out of one location is a common bawdy house by definition but the police seam to ignore this and they should as it's safer for the ladies to work this way and they are not harming anyone)

5) No underage (18 years of age)

 

If you follow those rules your ok so outcall prostitution where you are the only one profiting from your actions, you do not discuss ANYTHING in public and you are of legal age and do not coherse someone else into getting into the business your ok. You also can not legally bring someone to a place of prostitution (Read section 210-212 of the criminal code of Canada - I think we have a link here in the Canada Law on Prostitution page).

 

Some municipalities (windsor, calgary, edmonton, winnipeg that I know of) have municipal licenses (These are ways for the local police and municipal bylaw officers to combat prostitution without dealing with the criminal code - it helps them scare the ladies out of the city as they are not wanted - really it's crap as the "Escort" license says it's for dating and not prostitution as they can not license prostitutes.

 

Note: A municipal bylaw offense is NOT a criminal charge, you do not get a record or go to jail for this. You pay a fine (like a parking ticket)

 

Very informative and detailed post. Thanks MOD.

 

Often the ladies (especially invited nude dancers/friends and invited new SPs) ask me about the legality of the issue and now I have a great post that I can easily refer them to, which I am sure will be most reassuring to them.

 

 

So I just completed the phone survey. Ladies I promise its painless. In fact its nice to advocate for an industry that is always seen as dirty and criminal. I love what I do and I love the men that I see. I would love too see in my time, escorting become legal and socially acceptable.

 

But before acceptance comes awareness. Lets advocate for Ottawa Sp's, we are educated, beautiful, nurturing lovers, who are wife's, mothers, daughters and sister's.

 

Kisses and big thanks to Erin.

 

So fantastically well said Paige. Bravo.

[spud271 47779]

Very well put Paige, this is why you are such a highly respected member of our community!

 

So I just completed the phone survey. Ladies I promise its painless. In fact its nice to advocate for an industry that is always seen as dirty and criminal. I love what I do and I love the men that I see. I would love too see in my time, escorting become legal and socially acceptable.

 

But before acceptance comes awareness. Lets advocate for Ottawa Sp's, we are educated, beautiful, nurturing lovers, who are wife's, mothers, daughters and sister's.

 

Kisses and big thanks to Erin.

[VedaSloan 119179]

Yes, I'm hoping with Paige vouching for the project, more of the local Ottawa workers will get involved.

 

Awareness is the first step towards understanding and acceptance.

[p22*** 236]

I am just happy to help. MOD and others thanks for the clarity. Laws involving escorting can be confusing and misleading.

 

Kiss Kiss

[mod 135640]

Its my understanding that if your doing an outcall you can and will be arrested as soon as you ask or accept donation??? MOD I am curious you are saying no we can not be??? Its legal to show up as an escort, but the exchange of money is illegal...???

 

Not sure who told you this Paige but unless you are accepting money in public or discussing sex for money in public than this is a myth. (At least here in Canada).

 

Keep in mind most people assume we have the same laws that are expressed on TV (USA Culture / hollywood) in the USA this would get you arrested but here in Canada we have much more libral laws on this matter and no where in our Canadian criminal law does it make exchanging sex for money illegal if you are of legal age, doing a outcall and it is done in private.

 

I encourage everyon to please read the criminal code of Canada sections on prostitution (This is our federal law - the stuff you can go to jail for and be arrested for) sections 210 to 213 is very easy for anyone to read. (It's not full of legal jargon so it's pretty straight forward so you have no excuse not to read and know this - you should know the laws that directly pertain to your job).

 

I am not sure who told you it was illegal or maybe you just assumed this as TV has a big influence in our culture these days but if someone told you this you should educate yourself on the topic like I have and correct them as the more people who understand this law the less bad info will be passed around.

 

No where does it say prostitution that is conducted between two consenting adults in private is illegal... In fact it clearly says public solicitation is illegal (They Define "PUBLIC PLACE" - they would not have used the words "public place" if all solicitation was illegal they would have just said "any form of solicitation is illegal" but instead the law is VERY CLEAR that solicitation for sex in a "Public place" is illegal - meaning if you are in private it is legal to solicit sex for money.

So... one more time... if you close the door and are one on one with your date in private you can discuss sex openly in exchange for money with your date here in Canada.

 

If you do this in the USA and many other countries you will be arrested but not here in Canada.

 

Do some research and by all means ask a lawyer as you do not want to take legal advise from some person you don't know (Like me or anyone else on here for that matter - hearsay/rumors and myths are bad info).

 

I only know what I have read and from discussions I have had with legal council of my own. When I got involved in this business I went and talked to a lawyer who specializes in criminal law and had court room experience defending clients who were facing prostitution charges. No police officer or lawyer will be 100% knowledgeable in every aspect of the law (they also have to learn the laws as they go) so it is important to consult with a lawer who has experience in this field.

[mod 135640]

I am just happy to help. MOD and others thanks for the clarity. Laws involving escorting can be confusing and misleading

 

If you read the criminal code 210-213 and have a question post it here and I will try to break it down for everyone so that it is more clear. I have spent many...many...many hours researching our criminal code on this subject. I have reviewed every prostitution case and verdict that I could dig up and I am confident that I can help clarify any confusion anyone may have.

[mod 135640]

Here is a old post (Below) if you do a search here for "Criminal code of Canada" you will find a lot of information.

 

 

SECTION 210, The Criminal Code of Canada

This law makes it an offense to:

a) "Keep" a brothel (or manage one, own one, ...). (You can't run a IN CALL or BROTHEL)

b) Work in a brothel. (You can not work in a brother / incall)

c) Be found in a brothel (this is what brothel customers are

usually charged with). (You can not be a client in a brothel / incall)

d) Rent or lease space to someone who plans to use the space as a

brothel. If a person renting or leasing space in Canada is convicted

of keeping a brothel in the rented space, the landlord is obligated by

law to evict said person. Since most Canadian brothels (using the

legal definition) are in fact the homes of the working prostitutes,

they stand to lose their homes if they are renters -- and convicted. (Landlords can not rent space to a person to use as a brothel - this allows landlords to evict incall prostitutes)

 

SECTION 211, The Criminal Code of Canada

This law makes it an offense to knowingly take, offer to take, or

direct someone to a brothel. (self explanatory)

 

SECTION 212, The Criminal Code of Canada

This law makes it an offense to:

a) Procure or solicit a person to have illicit sex with another person. (agencies and pimps can not hire someone to have sex for money)

b) Entice someone who is not a prostitute to enter a brothel for

the purpose of prostitution. (again, agencies / pimps can not hire someone to work in a brothel)

c) Hide someone in a brothel. (hidden back rooms "Raid Rooms" where people would HIDE if the place was busted)

d) Procure someone to become a prostitute. (Can not talk someone into becoming a prostitute who is not already a prostitute)

e) Convince someone to leave their residence and become a

"frequenter" of a brothel.

f) Direct or take a new arrival to Canada to a brothel. (To battle sex slavery)

g) Procure a person to leave Canada to become a prostitute. (Same problem other way around - promise big money to work in say Japan or in the Caribbean at a strip club or ranch but you are expected to have sex with customers)

h) Exercise control over someone for the purpose of prostitution

(commonly used against pimps, also used against escort service owners,

managers, and phone operators).

I) Drug someone (which includes getting someone drunk) to enable

another person to have sex with the person who has been drugged.

j) Live wholly or partially on the avails (profits) of prostitution

(commonly used against pimps, often used against husbands, lovers,

boyfriends, etc.). Evidence that someone is "habitually in the

company" of a prostitute, or lives in a brothel, is, in the absence

of evidence to the contrary, proof that the person in question lives

on the avails of prostitution.

 

SECTION 213, The Criminal Code

This law makes it an offense to solicit or "communicate" for the

purpose of prostitution in a public place. (Phones and cars are "Grey Areas") (Public Place is defined here - no mention of "Private" place being illegal this is done purposely to allow prostitution to be legal if done in private and not on the street.)

 

It's perfectly legal for a pro to see a client in a hotel room but not use the same hotel room as a bawdy house.

 

It's perfectly legal for a pro to see a client in a client's home or other personal space.

 

It's also legal for pros to advertise in magazines, online and newspapers -- magazines and newspapers in Canada as they are not considered a "PUBLIC PLACE" as defined by the law as a magazine or the internet is not a "PLACE" it is a medium/media and you have the right to advertise your legal business where you wish.

 

Another law often used against both prostitutes and their clients is

Section 173 of our Criminal Code -- our indecent act law. This law makes

it an offense to commit an indecent act in a public place in the presence

of one or more people, or to commit an indecent act in any place with the

intent to insult or offend another person. Indecency is not defined in

our Criminal Code, so Canadian judges have the power to determine what

is indecent on an individual case bases.

[VedaSloan 119179]

As well, I also know the sections pertaining to prostitution, 210-213, like the back of my hand. I've done a couple of lectures on the subject as well. I'm happy to answer questions also (I wrote a similar post to mod's awhile back).

 

-E

[YoungStud 468]

I never write her working girl name, her real name if I know it - or the amount or anything else. Just a plain white envelope or one in her favourite colour, if she has one and I know it. She knows who she is and she knows how to count. Anonymity is always more discrete, even without legal considerations.

 

("Mommy, I found this envelope with your name and $300.00 written on it. I thought your birthday was next month?")

 

the money is in an open envelope right in front of her with her name and the dollar amount written on the back of the envelope.

[Annessa 22743]

I never write her working girl name, her real name if I know it - or the amount or anything else. Just a plain white envelope or one in her favourite colour, if she has one and I know it. She knows who she is and she knows how to count. Anonymity is always more discrete, even without legal considerations.

 

("Mommy, I found this envelope with your name and $300.00 written on it. I thought your birthday was next month?")

 

even more strange when it has her working girl name on it, LOL

 

"Mommy, who is Annessa? are you stealing $250 from her???"

 

UNMARKED envelopes!!! its leaves a hell of a lot less explaining for us to do should someone catch a glance of it later in our purse...

 

Great info Mod! I personally always never take money from a hand just to be safe rather than sorry but having all this spelled out as plainly as day is oh so helpful. Some things really are black and white. Thank you for abolishing the grey

 

xoxo

[VedaSloan 119179]

Since this thread got semi-jacked with a conversation about the law, let me remind everyone that this thread is about doing the 30-40 minute interview for POWER (Prostitutes of Ottawa-Gatineau Work, Educate, Resist).

 

I really really need more escorts and indoor workers, like MP's. Right now our data is completely skewed to the street level, as almost 90% of the participants have been SW's.

 

Even if you have no intention of ever joining POWER's membership, and you don't really have any interaction with the law, the information we gather is still crucial. There are almost no studies or information pertaining to indoor sex work and this info would really help us to represent your needs, what you want. I know that we can't pay you, I apologize that all we have in the way of thanks is a $20 gift card.

 

As someone who is incredibly passionate about human rights, particularly those of sex workers, and having seen the victimization and oppression firsthand, I can't tell you how important this is.

 

Please, if you have a spare moment, consider doing our interview.

 

Thank you so much,

Erin

[Guest M***ell***A]

I just finished my interview not too long ago and I encourage ALL ladies in Ottawa to participate (SP, MPA, Dancer, EVERY lady in the biz, Any lady in the biz reading this right now, in any facet at all!).

Not only was it quick and painless but also it was very nice to talk to another who understands a little bit after... You are not alone out there!

 

If we do not stand up for ourselves and for each other who will?

 

Thank you Erin for being so adamant in getting the ball rolling here... I only wish I had participated sooner... But it is not too late, come on ladies. Many voices together are too loud to be ignored...