Beyond a woman's choice: the real story of prostitution in Canada
Mar 23, 2023
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The guests of this episode, Andrea Heinz and Kathy King, co-authors of an upcoming book on prostitution in Canada, discuss various aspects of the sex trade industry. They delve into personal stories, activism against the trade, the intersection of addiction and prostitution, the impact of pornography, and the challenges of researching and legislating on the issue. Listeners are encouraged to support their cause and make a community change.
Progressive governments in Canada have failed to enforce laws criminalizing pimps, johns, and brothel owners, leading to continued exploitation in the sex trade.
The language used to describe the sex industry is important in shaping public attitudes and conversations, with the need to focus on actions rather than neutral terms that mask gender imbalances and harm inflicted on women.
Women and girls often enter the sex trade due to vulnerabilities, socioeconomic marginalization, and coercion, challenging the notion of 'sex work' as a choice.
Deep dives
The Lack of Enforcement of Canadian Prostitution Laws
Canada passed laws criminalizing pimps, johns, and brothel owners, but progressive governments have failed to enforce them, leading to continued exploitation. Prime Minister Trudeau promised to repeal the legislation, potentially decriminalizing prostitution. Public debate revolves around women's choices, while ignoring the men who pay for sex or exploit women. Andrea Hines and Kathy King wrote 'When Men Buy Sex, Who Really Pays?' to shed light on Canadian stories of exploitation, the reasons men buy sex, and strategies to curb demand.
The Importance of Language in the Sex Trade Discourse
The language used to describe the sex industry is crucial in shaping public attitudes and conversations. Kathy prefers to avoid the term 'prostitution' due to its connotations of reciprocity and neutrality. She believes in focusing on the actions of those involved rather than using neutral terms that mask gender imbalances and the harm inflicted on women. Andrea also emphasizes the need to challenge 'sex work' ideology and the use of labor language, arguing that it undermines the understanding of coercive exploitation. Both emphasize the importance of centering discussions on who buys sex and the need for men to shift their attitudes.
The Reality of the Sex Trade and the Factors Leading to Exploitation
Women and girls enter the sex trade due to a variety of factors, including vulnerabilities, socioeconomic marginalization, and coercion. The experience of Kathy's daughter highlights how teenagers can be manipulated into the trade through exploitation, drug use, and pressure from peers. Andrea, who spent years in the industry, challenges the notion of 'sex work' as a choice, pointing out that financial struggles and limited options often lead women into the industry. The current influence of sex work ideology and social contagion further glamorizes and normalizes the industry, targeting vulnerable youth. Both authors stress the need to address these underlying issues and offer alternative paths and support to women.
Reasons women stay in the sex industry
The sex industry can exert complex influences on individuals. According to the Instep Model, there are three levels of agency among sellers. Level one includes trafficked individuals who rarely see the industry as a form of labor. Level two consists of semi-autonomous providers who enter the industry due to financial need. They initially experience positive aspects, but negative experiences eventually lead them to desire an exit. Level three comprises autonomous sex workers who view the industry exclusively as labor and may not change their minds. The decision to leave the sex industry is influenced by the individual's journey through these levels of agency.
Reasons men buy sex
The motivations for men who buy sex vary greatly and are difficult to group. Common reasons include loneliness, the desire for no-strings-attached encounters, failed romantic relationships, and even boredom. However, there is no justification for the purchase of sex, as it perpetuates a sense of entitlement and objectification of women's bodies. It is important to challenge societal conditioning and public opinion to promote awareness and understanding around the inherent exploitation within the sex trade.
The issue of prostitution in Canada has been left mostly uncovered. The debate in the public sphere tends to centre around questions of "women’s choices," and the left chants "sex work is work" in an effort to frame the problems in the sex trade as being limited to labour standards. Meanwhile, the men who pay for sex and exploit women in trade are ignored.
In this episode, Meghan Murphy speaks withAndrea Heinz andKathy King, co-authors of a soon-to-be-released book,“When Men Buy Sex: Who Really Pays?”
Andrea Heinz is a Canadian feminist who spent seven years in Edmonton’s licensed and regulated sex trade.She is completing a University degree in Governance, Law & Management and is married with three young children.
Kathy King is a clinical social worker (BA, BSW, MSW) with over five decades of professional employment and volunteer advocacy. In 1997, her passion became personal when she lost her only daughter to drug addiction, mental illness, and exploitation. Her story is shared at MissingCara.ca
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