Sex Workers in Canada Essay -- Prostitution, Sex Work

Sometimes, the term â€Å"sex work† is used, as well as â€Å"prostitution†. But whichever term we choose to say, it does not eliminate the stigma attached to it. Cases such as the Bedford V. Canada Case (144) indulges into the conspiracy of sex work and challenges certain sections of the Criminal Code that make business in relation to prostitution illegal. Ideally, a sex worker has a career just as a teacher or lawyer. For this reason, their human rights and dignity should be protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as are other professions. However, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as the Criminal Code do not seek to protect sex workers, yet, they seek to do otherwise using certain sections of the Criminal Code to criminalize sex work. Therefore, sex workers demand a permanent change in the law, their rights and freedoms in order to feel less threatened about their choice of work. This paper attempts to illustrate the legal terms of sex work, the main arguments made in the Bedford Case as well as an understanding of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Criminal Code, what sex workers face and are diligently demanding. Prostitution is legal in Canada, and to be a sex worker is legal. However, almost every activity that is related to prostitution is considered illegal under the law. That is to say, in practice, prostitution is viewed as a criminal activity. Because prostitution is criminalized, it augments the attitude that they are not or less worthy of being protected or they simply â€Å"deserve what ever they get†. This stigma clearly marginalizes sex workers and allows for people to freely exploit, humiliate, harass, and physically abuse these individuals. Sex workers are abused and exper... ...Sex Work and the Law: A Changing Legal Landscape.† www.owjn.org http://owjn.org/owjn_2009/legal-information/aboriginal-law/121#i3 (accessed November 28, 2013) Overall, Christine. What's wrong with prostitution? Evaluating sex work. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1992.3 â€Å"Sex Trade Workers Of Canada.† http://www.sextradeworkersofcanada.com/ (accessed December 1, 2013). The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network. â€Å"Sex, work, rights: Changing Canada's criminal laws to protect sex workers' health and human rights.† www.maggiestoronto.ca http://maggiestoronto.ca/uploads/File/Sex-work-rights-(HALN).pdf (accessed November 28, 2013) The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network. â€Å"Decriminalizing sex work(ers): law reform to protect health and human rights.† www.aidslaw.ca http://www.aidslaw.ca/publications/interfaces/downloadFile.php?ref=199 (accessed November 27, 2013)