Why decriminalizing sex work will help to end trafficking: Canada in a global context

The criminal laws that prohibit the purchase and/or sale of sexual services do not protect sex workers, but, instead, fuel stigma, discrimination, harassment and targeted violence against sex workers. These criminal laws also create barriers for sex workers to access health, social and legal services.

Sex workers and human rights organizations in Canada and globally are calling for full decriminalization of sex work to recognize the rights and agency of sex workers, to end stigma, violence and exploitation, and improve their quality of life. On this panel US, Canadian and international scholars, experts, and activists will discuss why decriminalizing sex work will help to end trafficking in Canada.