by Katarina Ziervogel

Prostitution was one of the world’s first and most ancient professions. Long before prostitution gained a social stigma, it was criminalized and turned dangerous worldwide. The profession of prostitution all began in 3rd millennium BC. It was invented by the Sumerians of ancient Mesopotamia, who worshiped Ishtar the goddess of love and war. ^[1] The women of Ishtar’s service received men’s offerings to her temple through their sacred bodies. Other ancient religions took a similar practice. The women in the practice of prostitution were treated with respect and the practice was legalized, with regulations to ensure the safety and rights of these women. So, why is prostitution no longer legalized nor safe in Canada?

The practice of prostitution is outlawed within many governments, but it is changing amongst other countries. For instance, in the Netherlands prostitution is legal, but regulated to increase the protection of prostitutes and cease the risk of exploitation. However, this is not the case with the Bill C-36 that was recently passed by the Harper government in Canada. ^[2]

Bill C-36 was created with the victims of human trafficking and exploitation in mind. Regardless of how the government looks at it, some sex worker advocates believe it made the working conditions less safe for those involved. “The hardest part is being forced underground due to Bill C-36. The bill forces legitimate and professional sex workers to be less safe,” says G, an anonymous sex worker.^[3] Not only is it more dangerous for sex workers now, but there is no guarantee that women working inside are not being subjected to violence, because there is no regulation to it.  “When sex work is out in the open, it is easier to find and help the trafficked.” Says G, who thinks prostitution should be decriminalized. ^[3] In addition to this, the Bill C-36 makes it harder to find the individuals who are being trafficked because now potential witnesses such as clients or consensual sex workers will be afraid to report the crime. ^[4]

On the surface, sex trafficking is one of the major factors that should be taken into consideration for the MMIWG inquiry. Along with intergenerational trauma of colonization and residential schools, among other factors, and the resultant poverty, it leaves Indigenous girls disadvantaged and unfortunately, some fall into the hands of pimps. ^[5] The sexualizing stereotype of Pocahontas’s character, and the never-ending effect of Western Europe’s colonization, pushes Indigenous women and girls into a vulnerable position to be exploited.

If the criminalization of prostitution has never improved the safety of Indigenous women, will decriminalizing prostitution improve the safety of Indigenous women?

Sources

1. Fanni, Zac. “A History Of Prostitution: How Old Is The Sex Trade?” Sabotage Times. N.p., 29 Jan. 2014. Web. http://sabotagetimes.com/sex/a-history-of-prostitution-how-old-is-the-sex-trade/

2. Wingrove, Josh. “Tory Prostitution Bill Gets Senate Approval.” The Globe and Mail. Phillip Crawley, 04 Nov. 2014. Web. 23 Sept. 2016. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tory-prostitution-bill-gets-senate-approval/article21450839/
3. Smith, Briony. “Sex Workers in Canada on What Their Jobs Are Really Like.” Flare. Rogers Digital Media, 18 Aug. 2015. Web. 23 Sept. 2016. http://www.flare.com/sex-and-relationships/3-canadian-sex-workers-on-what-their-jobs-are-really-like/
4. Auger, Cheryl. “Bill C-36: No Safety or Security for Sex Workers.” Rabble. N.p., 27 Oct. 2014. Web. 23 Sept. 2016. http://rabble.ca/news/2014/10/bill-c-36-no-safety-or-security-sex-workers
5. Grant, Tavia. “The Trafficked: Sexual Exploitation Is Costing Canadian Women Their Lives.” The Globe and Mail. Phillip Crawley, 10 Feb. 2016. Web. 23 Sept. 2016. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/the-trafficked-sexual-exploitation-is-costing-canadian-women-their-lives/article28700849/