Thanks to the generosity of all of you who have supported Hope for the Sold, we are boarding a plane and headed to Europe to begin filming our documentary!  We can’t express our gratitude for how many of you have been part of this journey.  Our hope is that we can create a film that will help prevent the sale and exploitation of many.  We look forward to meeting people in Europe who are dealing with this issue, and anticipate learning a lot.

For those of you who have contacted us and have not heard back, I apologize.  The weeks leading up to our trip have been quite hectic.

We will update the blog as much as possible while we are on the road!

I just got a letter and certificate from the office of MP Joy Smith, thanking Hope for the Sold for helping Bill C-310 become law.  Immediately as I saw it, I knew I had to take a picture pointing right back at YOU, Hope for the Sold readers, because so many of you wrote letters to your Members of Parliament in support of this bill!  We have been part of shaping history!  The following extends to you:

“As Member of Parliament for Kildonan – St. Paul and sponsor of Bill C-310, I want to acknowledge and honour the outstanding efforts of Hope for the Sold to help pass Bill C-310.  As a result of Hope for the Sold’s support, Canada has strengthened its tools to combat modern day slavery.”

HUGE thank you goes to you who took action on this!  The bill received Royal Assent on June 22, and as a result, Canadians who engage in human trafficking and modern day slavery aboard are no longer exempt from prosecution in Canada.  Furthermore, the definition of human trafficking has been enhanced to include key factors to help police and courts to better identify cases of human trafficking.

Awesome.  I love that many of you don’t just read this blog, but take action.  Let’s keep taking steps to make Canada an international leader on this issue.  Thank you MP Smith for all your hard work!

In July Canada’s government stopped issuing visas or extensions for foreign strippers to work in the country.  This has sparked outrage from the Adult Entertainment Association of Canada, who is now on a mission to recruit young women domestically to fill demand.

AEAC representative Tim Lambrinos says that they plan to recruit at educational institutions and malls.They would merely set up a kiosk with a pole and information.  As this article states, Lambrinos confirmed a draft of the recruiting package that says the following:

“If you are visually appealing and comfortable with your naked body and are comfortable about taking all your clothes off, you can be working right now as an exotic dancer and earn your tuition fees for university or college.”

Regarding foreign workers who are already in the strip industry in Canada, the AEAC wishes to extend their permits for another year.  They are also encouraging people to marry the foreign nationals so they can keep dancing here.  Some are considering setting up workshops in universities to recruit foreign students that are already in Canada.

I do not want to come across as alarmist or make parents panic that their children will undoubtedly be kidnapped into the industry.  However the reality is that recruitment does happen, and often those who do the recruiting know how to spot the most vulnerable of young women.  MP Joy Smith recently wrote an article about this, sharing stories of people like Natasha Falle, who became a prostitute at a young age and was forced to recruit others through glamorizing prostitution and concealing the violent experiences.  Jay and I recently had a woman come to us after we had given a presentation about prostitution.   She he had chosen to get into prostitution because it seemed glamorous and an easy way to make money, and for the first week she said it did seem that way.  But soon the illusion faded away into something quite hideous.

I realize there are those who claim to call their own shots, choose their own johns, and see paid sex as a respectable profession like any other.  I have never been in the industry myself and cannot speak for these women, or claim that they are lying when they say they want to be in the industry.  Makes me wonder though – if prostitution, stripping, and porn is as wonderful and easy as they make it sound, why are Canadian women not lining up in droves to do it?  Some might argue that it is because they are merely afraid of what society or their families would think.  I believe it runs much deeper than that.

The recruitment efforts of the AEAC brings to mind the credit card industry.  When I went to university, credit card companies desperately wanted to offer me credit way beyond what I had the financial capability to handle.  They would set up their booths (yes, even at universities), and sell me on the amazing promises of paying for education,  building my credit, and having freedom of spending money now.

Handling a credit card is no problem for some young students, who are wise with money and had been warned about falling prey to debt.  But then there are others, who even at 18 years old were not mature enough to handle the responsibility of a credit card.

I know many who are in their 30s and 40s who are still trying to pay for the mistakes of their youth.  The credit card industry is in many cases predatory, preying on the foolishness, immaturity, or unpreparedness of young students.  This is wrong.  Unfortunately, entering the sex industry at a young age has much deeper implications than having credit card debt.  It can ravage you emotionally, physically, and mentally.  Obviously there are many differences between recruiting for credit cards versus for the sex industry, but the key similarity is this:  Both know who to target, because that is where the real money is made.

I support the government’s decision regarding visas for foreign strippers.  They have acknowledged that the industry is rife with exploitation, and are trying to protect people from being abused in this country.  But I think the following must also happen in order for this law to be effective in reducing exploitation:

1.  Foreign workers currently in Canada should be given another type of temporary visa, so that they can find alternative work and not be deported.  Sometimes deportation can be dangerous and put these women at risk.

2.  The government must make decisions that enable real opportunities for young women. I lived in British Columbia for a while where the minimum wage was still at $8.00 last year.  How is a single mom supposed to live on that?  One comment on Smith’s article read:

“Smith would prefer that they got jobs at Subway and McDonald’s instead. Sorry, they’d rather make four times as much cash for doing something they enjoy, being celebrated as attractive.”  

 

Though the person who wrote this comment is misled in thinking that most women in the sex trade “enjoy their work” and feel attractive, they raise a good point about the lack of other, real other job opportunities.  Our economic system needs some major shifting. Social programs are a lifeline to many, and the fact that so many of them are being cut is frightening.  If they are not working as they should, we must make them better, not eliminate them entirely.

3.  We must decrease demand for paid sex.  The deeper issue here is that there is a supply shortfall due to booming demand for the sex trade.  No recruiting would be happening if there was no demand for those services, foreign or domestic.

What do you think about the government’s decision to stop giving out foreign stripper visas, and about the response of the AEAC to recruit domestically?

Most of you have probably heard the shocking story in the news of three teenage girls in Ottawa who have been charged with trafficking other teenage girls between the ages of 13 and 17 for sex.  This CBC clip brings up some good points about this case.

When I first heard about this, these were the questions that came to mind:

• Where did these girls learn this behaviour?
• Were they exploited at one point themselves?
• Who provided them with the drugs which they used on at least one of the victims?
• How did they know where “paying customers” were?
• Was there a promise or lure of money?  Or were their actions driven by threats?  Or both?  

We do not have answers to these questions yet, but here are some things I do know:

It is quite common for traffickers to use their victims to recruit others.  Since most sex trafficking victims are female, and because women are more likely to trust other women, pimps can recruit more victims in a more invisible, risk-free manner.

This would never have happened if it had not been profitable.  If men were not willing to pay for sex, the market for flesh would dry up.  The news loves to focus on supply when the issue is demand.

As my friend Jennifer Lucking from Walk With Me pointed out in this article, technology is a vital part of pimping and exploitation.  The victims were lured through facebook.  Parents need to be aware of their children’s online friends.

What do you think about this?  If these teenage girls are found guilty, what kind of punishment is suitable?  Should they be punished at all?  How do you think we can protect kids from falling prey to these types of situations without robbing them of free will completely?  Do you think a 15 year old is capable of pimping without outside involvement?  Would love to hear your comment below.

Whatever unfolds over the coming weeks, this case is a reminder to us that there are cracks in our society which young boys and girls can falls through, and it is our responsibility to prevent those vulnerabilities.  Please, would you consider making a Personal Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking in response to this horrific and sad trafficking case?

Here is a message from MP Joy Smith:

Dear friends,

I am absolutely thrilled to share with you the announcement of a National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking that was made today by Minister Vic Toews and Minister Ambrose in Ottawa, Minister Blaney in Montreal and myself in Surrey, BC. I am excited that Canada is taking strong steps towards the elimination of modern day slavery in Canada and abroad.

As many of you know, I have been committed to the development of a National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking. In 2007, my Motion M-153 which called for Canada to develop a national strategy to combat human trafficking was unanimously adopted by Parliament. In 2010, I released a proposal for a National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking called Connecting the Dots. I shared this with the Prime Minister and key Cabinet Ministers. This was followed by the commitment by Prime Minister Harper and the Conservative Party of Canada in the 2011 election to develop a National Action Plan.

Today, one year later, this promise has been fulfilled with the launch of a robust and clear National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking.

You can also read the full National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking online here.

I want to especially thank the tens of thousands of Canadians who took time over the past two years to sign petitions and write to Members of Parliament. Your voices have been heard!

However there is more to be done. One of the key part of the Plan focuses on participation. Over the next year, key parts of the National Action Plan will be put into place that encourage citizens to join with law enforcement and victims services to prevent modern day slavery and rescue victims. Together, we can end modern day slavery!

Sincerely,

Joy Smith, MP
Kildonan – St. Paul
613-992-7148
joy.smith.a2@parl.gc.ca
www.joysmith.ca

Here are some highlights of the National Action Plan.  The National Action Plan will:

• Launch Canada’s first integrated law enforcement team dedicated to combating human trafficking.
• Increase front-line training to identify and respond to human trafficking and enhance prevention in vulnerable communities.
• Provide more support for victims of this crime, both Canadians and newcomers.
• Strengthen coordination with domestic and international partners who contribute to Canada’s efforts to combat human trafficking.

These new measures totalling $25 million over four years build on and strengthen Canada’s significant work to date to prevent, detect and prosecute human trafficking, such as targeted training for law enforcement officials and front-line service providers, and enhanced public awareness measures. To date, the RCMP is aware of 23 cases in Canada in which human trafficking charges were laid and the accused have been convicted of human trafficking and/or other related offences. 42 accused have been convicted in these cases and 56 victims have been saved from the hands of the traffickers. Currently, approximately 59 Canadian cases involving 98 individuals accused of human trafficking offences remain before the courts. These cases involve a total of 147 victims.

I am so excited!  You can read the full National Action Plan here.

Hope for the Sold sends out a HUGE congratulations to Tara Teng for winning the title of Miss World Canada 2012!  Tara has worked so hard for this – and not because she seeks glory for herself but because she believes that this platform can empower her to empower others.  Tara, thank you for your heart for justice, for your never ending energy to fight on behalf of human trafficking victims, for your willingness to declare war on exploitation, for your convictions about true beauty, and for your humility.  Your joy bursts out of you on that stage and we celebrate with you!

As Miss World Canada, Tara will be representing Canada at the Miss World Pageant in Inner Mongolia this summer.  I will be sure to post updates.  For those of you who have not been acquainted with this beautiful friend of mine, you can read my interview with Tara Teng (when she held the title of Miss BC) and learn about her journey with Miss World Canada here.

There are many of you who supported Tara through your votes and by helping her raise funds for Variety Children’s Charity, and a BIG thank you goes out to all of you as well!  She could not have done this without you.  I know Tara will not waste this opportunity to do some serious good in the world, and it is so exciting for us to stand behind her as a community of love and support.

Great job to all the ladies who competed in this pageant – I hope that you will continue the great things you are doing in the world to help others!

Follow Tara’s journey through Twitter @MissTaraTeng and on her blog.

Photo source (all photos): Kuna Photography, Miss World Canada facebook page

For all of you who wrote letters and contacted your Member of Parliament about Bill C-310, you will be happy to know that it passed the Third Reading in the House of Commons last week and is now headed to the Senate!  Here is the press release from Friday.

April 27, 2012

Ottawa, ON: Today, Bill C-310, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in persons), passed at Third Reading with unanimous consent. Bill C-310 will now go to the Senate for consideration.

“I am absolutely delighted with the adoption of Bill C-310 today by the House of Commons and look forward to it being adopted by the Senate in a timely manner,” said MP Joy Smith. “Bill C-310 will have a significant impact on the anti-human trafficking efforts of Canada here at home as well as abroad. This legislation will place important legal tools into the hands of prosecutors and law enforcement.”

Bill C-310 amends the Criminal Code by adding the current trafficking in persons offences [s.279.01, s.279.011, s.279.02, and s.279.03] to the list of offences which, if committed outside of Canada by a Canadian or permanent resident, could be prosecuted in Canada. The Bill also adds an interpretive aid for courts to provide greater clarity of the definition of exploitation in s.279.04 of the Criminal Code.

“Today, modern day slavery exists in all corners of our globe and our resolve to eliminate it must only grow stronger,” said MP Smith. “It will take concerted efforts across party lines to effectively combat human trafficking in our country as well as abroad. I look forward to working with all members of Parliament to fight this egregious abuse of human rights.”

Since introducing Bill C-310, MP Joy Smith has presented petitions containing 1000’s of signatures from Canadians calling for the adoption of the legislation. Many organizations have also lent their support for this legislation, representing stakeholders such as law enforcement, victim’s services, and non-governmental organizations.

MP Joy Smith is one of Canada’s leading anti-human trafficking advocates and has previously succeeded in passing legislation to combat human trafficking. In 2010, MP Joy Smith’s Bill C-268 became law creating Canada’s first child trafficking offence with stiff minimum sentences. MP Smith has also drafted a proposal for a National Action Plan to Combat Human trafficking called ‘Connecting the Dots’ that is being developed by the Canadian Government.

I will let you know when the bill passes through Senate.  Great job to everyone that has gotten this bill to this point!  Also in recent news, the federal government has appealed the prostitution ruling by the Ontario Court of Appeal.  Will keep you posted as this develops.  Don’t know what this is about?  Read more here.

Last week on Friday, Bill C-310, which many of you asked your MPs to support, was expected to pass through its Third Reading.  Through the first stages of the Bill, there had been unanimous support from all parties, and all parties had expressed that they would support the Bill in the Third Reading. However, this is what I received from MP Joy Smith:

Today (Friday) , Bill C-310, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in persons), was expected to be adopted unanimously by the House of Commons at Third Reading and sent to the Senate. However, at the last minute, the NDP prevented debate on Bill C-310 and delayed the Bill from passing until the end of May.

“I am absolutely stunned by this,” said MP Joy Smith. “Bill C-310 will strengthen Canada’s efforts to combat human trafficking and this should not be a partisan matter. I have worked so hard to secure the support of all parties and have appreciated the support of all MPs for this Bill up until today.”

“At each stage of this Bill, I have reached out to members of other parties,” stated MP Smith. “In advance of today’s Report Stage and Third Reading, I spoke with the NDP and Liberal House Leaders to secure their support for Bill C-310 to be adopted today. They assured me that they were fully supportive of Bill C-310 being adopted today. Then, about 10 minutes before debate was to begin, I was shocked to find out that the NDP would be opposing Bill C-310.”

“What is most astounding is that the NDP have been fully supportive of Bill C-310 at Second Reading and Committee stages. They have even jointly seconded this Bill,” says MP Smith. “My heart sank when I watched as they stood, smiling and shouted ‘NO!’ when the Speaker of the House sought consent.”

As a result of today’s actions, Bill C-310 will be voted on next Wednesday, and will drop to the bottom of the Order of Precedence instead of heading to the Senate.

“I don’t have any answers as to why this happened,” said MP Smith. “I would invite Canadians to write or call NDP members for an explanation of why they would vote against such an important, bipartisan Bill and deliberately hold it up.”

“Today, modern day slavery exists in all corners of our globe and our resolve to eliminate it must only grow stronger,” said MP Smith. “In fact, only yesterday, a judge handed out the toughest penalty for human trafficking in Canadian history for an egregious case of forced labour.”

Bill C-310 amends the Criminal Code by adding the current trafficking in persons offences [s.279.01, s.279.011, s.279.02, and s.279.03] to the list of offences which, if committed outside of Canada by a Canadian or permanent resident, could be prosecuted in Canada. The Bill also adds an interpretive aid for courts to provide greater clarity of the definition of exploitation in s.279.04 of the Criminal Code.

Since introducing Bill C-310, MP Joy Smith has presented petitions containing 1000’s of signatures from Canadians calling for the adoption of the legislation. Many organizations have also lent their support for this legislation, representing stakeholders such as law enforcement, victim’s services, and non-governmental organizations.

The NDP decided to act in a partisan manner with Bill C-310 and needlessly delay it OR the NDP made a grave procedural error.

Regardless of what the reason was, the NDP’s actions halted the debate and passage of an important human trafficking bill that the Conservative, Liberal, Green, and Bloc parties were prepared to debate and support.

Note: The NDP could rectify this by offering to move Bill C-310 back to the top of the Order of Precedence by trading one of their Private Members Bill spots with Bill C-310.

My husband Jay and I wrote to several NDP MPs, asking them why they blocked debate on this bill, as we wanted to understand what happened.  We have waited for several days and not received a reply.

TODAY there will be a debate on this bill in the House of Commons.  If the Member of Parliament that represents you is part of the NDP party, please contact them today and ask them to support this bill. Ask them also to grant a position change with one of their private members bills and move Bill C-310 to a sooner vote for the 3rd reading.

I don’t know what happened here.  Some anti-trafficking bills are more controversial, but this one had unanimous support.  I think the NDP made a procedural mistake.  You can read this great article about the NDP’s decision to get more info.  You can also contact MP Joy Smith’s office with any questions: 613-992-7148 or joy.smith.a2@parl.gc.ca.

Update: C-310 just adopted at Report Stage with all in favour. Could have been sooner if it had not been blocked earlier, but grateful it is now to the next stage!  I will update this post once I hear more.

Yesterday was a big day in Ontario regarding prostitution laws.  The Ontario Court of Appeal, the province’s highest court, legalized brothels based on the argument that “Ontario’s current anti-prostitution laws place unconstitutional restrictions on prostitutes’ ability to protect themselves.”

If you are new to this issue or want to understand today’s ruling in simple terms, here is a summary of what has happened to date.

Pre-September of 2010:

According to the law, prostitution itself was legal but everything surrounding it was illegal.  For example, it was illegal to:

1. Communicate for the purposes of prostitution  - ie. soliciting on the street

2. Live off the avails of prostitution – ie. pimps living off the money they receive from exploiting women and children, or someone in the trade paying for their child’s education with money from prostitution

3. Keep a bawdy house - ie. operating or working out of a brothel, which could include residences used by groups of women

Leading up to September 28th, 2010:

Dominatrix Terry-Jean Bedford and ex-prostitute Valerie Scott (along with Amy Lebovitch and their lawyer Alan Young), launched a constitutional challenge of Canada’s anti-prostitution laws. In simple terms, they wanted prostitution and everything surrounding the actual act to be decriminalized.

September 28, 2010:

The Ontario Superior Court ruled in favour of their proposal by striking down the three anti-prostitution laws.  This meant it was no longer illegal to keep a bawdy house (brothel), communicate for the purposes of prostitution, or live off the avails of selling sex.  The federal government appealed the Ontario Superior Court’s decision, in effect reversing it until it was looked at again by the Ontario Court of Appeal.

March 26, 2012, Ontario Court of Appeal:

Five judges found that banning bawdy houses and living off the avails of prostitution were unconstitutional, but agreed with the Crown that the open solicitation of prostitution should be illegal. What exactly does this mean?  It means that those in the sex trade can legally run or work out of brothels in Ontario, as well as hire drivers, bodyguards and support staff.  From a legal standpoint, it makes prostitution just like any other taxable profession.  Bodyguards and staff can legally be hired as early as April, but the brothel ban is still in effect for up to a year, giving the Crown the chance to appeal.   This would mean that the case will go before the Supreme Court of Canada.  Whatever they decide will be the ultimate decision and will affect the entire country, not just Ontario.

Dominatrix Terry-Jean Bedford stands to celebrate the Court's decision Monday. Photo source: Kevin Van Paassen, Globe and Mail

There is no question that Canada’s prostitution laws have not made sense or protected women.  The fact that prostitution itself has been legal while everything surrounding it has been illegal makes for poor lawmaking.  New prostitution laws are absolutely necessary, but that is where my agreement with the pro-sex work group ends.  They want the laws changed so that the entire industry is decriminalized, making the sex trade a fully legal.  But there are many, myself included, who want the laws changed so that women can be empowered to leave the trade, as the majority of those in the sex trade desperately want out but have no exit strategy.

Terry-Jean Bedford and her group assume that they are the only ones who will be affected by the Court’s ruling.  They assume that most working in the sex trade have chosen to enter it willingly and that this will empower them to work like any other tax-paying citizen.  But here are some of my concerns:

It is not the law that makes prostitution dangerous.  Prostitution is inherently dangerous. Even when it is legal or “high end,” women are encouraged to have panic buttons and learn skills that get them out of life-threatening situations.  Is this the type of industry we want to promote as a career choice for young girls?  Terry-Jean Beford herself entered the trade as a teenager, manipulated by an abusive boyfriend.  There are definitely some who make a decision as adults to prostitute themselves, but it is incredibly naive to think that most enter in this way.

Global studies have demonstrated that whether prostitution takes place indoors or outdoors, many women experience post traumatic stress disorder as a result of being in the trade.

The ruling allows those in the trade to hire bodyguards, drivers, and support staff.  For the small minority who is able to call the shots, this could arguably make them safer.  However this provision does absolutely nothing to protect the unfortunate majority which includes trafficking victims and those who are manipulated and controlled by pimps.  Though the Court clarified that no one can live off the avails of “exploitation,” now pimps and traffickers can pose as drivers and bodyguards, giving them a legal loophole to continue exploiting women and children.

Those who are pro-prostitution often us the case of Robert Pickton, a BC man who savagely murdered dozens of prostituted women, as an example of why legal brothels would make women safer.  But Angel Wolfe, the daughter of one of the women killed by Pickton, points out that legal brothels would make it more difficult for police to get warrants for sweeps that uncover victims of trafficking and abuse.  Now it is easier to hide trafficking victims.

When you legalize any component of the prostitution industry, you increase demand for paid sex.  This gives the green light for traffickers to increase supply to help meet that demand.  If a “legal” woman refuses a john because he seems unsafe or because she does not like him, where is he going to take his fantasies instead?  Trafficking victims are the ones who will end up with the most abusive and violent men, as their so-called “bodyguards” now have the competitive advantage of their girls being willing to “do anything.”

What bothers me is that I have never heard people like Terry-Jean Bedford or those who are pro-prostitution mention victims of trafficking or exploitation, except in an attempt to sweep them under the rug and disconnect them from the argument altogether.  Are we so blinded as a society that we think we can disconnect prostitution from trafficking and exploitation?  This certainly did not work in Amsterdam or Las Vegas, where trafficking networks run with seamless efficiency due to high demand for paid sex.

Window of Opportunity:

The Crown will doubtless apply for a stay from the Supreme Court, meaning that this decision would be decided in the highest court of Canada.  That will be the final decision for prostitution law in our country. One article states:

The landmark decision is binding on Ontario courts and sets up a final showdown at the Supreme Court of Canada next fall or in early 2013.

This means that right now we have a window of opportunity to push our government to change prostitution laws.  The Court’s responsibility is to make sure that laws are not unconstitutional, but the Crown’s responsibility is to actually create laws that are good for society.  This means that we must do everything we can to encourage our Members of Parliament to push our country in the opposite direction – away from a fully legal sex industry that promotes exploitation – and towards laws that protect women and decrease demand for paid sex.

We should be looking at the example of Sweden.  In contrast to legalization or full decriminalization of prostitution, Sweden’s approach has significantly cut down human trafficking levels. It has criminalized the purchase of sex while decriminalizing the selling of it. This has decreased demand for paid sex, reducing monetary incentives for traffickers to set up shop. Because its success has encouraged other countries to adopt it, this approach is now known as the “Nordic Model.” This is the direction we should be headed.  You can read more about the Nordic Model here.

What You Can Do Now:

As my friend John MacMillan has aptly pointed out, Courts are not swayed by public opinion – in fact when the Charter is involved, the role of a court is often to protect the rights of a minority from public opinion.  Petitioning the government is our best course of action right now.  If you want Canada to head in the direction of the Nordic model that prevents exploitation instead of supporting a fully decriminalized prostitution industry, here are three steps you can take:

ONE.  Print this petition, fill it with signatures, and send it to your Member of Parliament at the House of Commons >> Petition Swedish Model.  Don’t know who your representative is?  Find out here.

TWO.  Contact your Member of Parliament and let them know how you feel about this issue.  They need to know that Canadians care and that this is priority.  Don’t know what to say?  Here is an outline. Personalize it and send it to your MP.

THREE.  Hope for the Sold is currently raising funds to make a documentary about legalization of prostitution and its connection to sex trafficking. We believe that film is a powerful way to help sway opinion and change minds, and our hope is that this film will have an impact that will help governments around the world take an approach that prevents trafficking and exploitation as opposed to legalizing an industry that us full of violence and abuse.  Due to the generosity of blog readers, small businesses, friends, and family, we have raised $23,000 to date.  We have $57,000 more to raise.  As soon as we have $80,000 we will hit the road.  Clearly this is an urgent matter, so please consider supporting this project!  All donations are eligible for tax receipts.  Watch our pitch video and support the film here.

4.  Please stay tuned.  This week I will give you further instructions from the Crown on how to proceed. We MUST be a united front on this issue, and currently there is a plan being formed. Please check back this week to find out how you can be part of this movement.  As my friend Tara Teng says: This is NOT the time to stand by and do nothing.  We have a window opportunity. Let’s use it.

I leave you with this question: do we care more about the rights of women who want to sell their bodies, or the rights of the exploited who desperately don’t want to?  Let’s see the Court’s decision not as a tragedy but an opportunity – as it forces our government to decide where they really stand on this issue.

**Max Waltman at the University of Stockholm found in a recent working paper that the Court of Appeal’s decision misrepresents evidence and contravenes the Charter.  Read about Max Waltman’s response here.

**September 2012 update: We are making a documentary about legalization of prostitution, its connection to sex trafficking, and preventative models that decrease sexual exploitation. If you want to help us reach our funding goal for this, get more information here.  All donations will receive tax receipts.

In Numbers:

• 8,940: Number of Internet protocol (IP) addresses in Ontario where child porn is suspected of having been downloaded in the last three months
• 23: Number of police services searching 76 locations to seize computer equipment
• 60: Number of suspects arrested
• 213: Number of charges filed, including sexual assault, child luring and making, possessing and distributing child pornography
• 22: Number of identified victims, now longer being abused

MP Joy Smith issued a statement on the bust, commending those who worked long hours to put an end to this crime.

I want to commend the Ontario Provincial Police Child Sexual Exploitation Section and the 23 law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation for their dedication and commitment to tracking down the individuals who created, distributed and made available child sexual abuse material. These investigations are long and complex and exert significant emotional and physical tolls on the officers involved.  Due to the immense and heroic efforts of these police officers, 22 child victims have been rescued and are now receiving care.

Children are the most precious members of our society but also the most vulnerable. The creation and distribution of child sexual abuse materials results in devastating trauma in young victims. As a nation, it is incumbent on each of us to support efforts that protect children, hold predators accountable, and restore rescued victims.

I echo her words. This kind of predatory behaviour is unacceptable, and I am so grateful for those one the front lines who are doing something about this injustice.  My hope is that victims can now get healing, and that the perpetrators experience true heart change while paying for what they did. Considering that some of those accused have already had previous sex-related convictions, I am reminded that some form of restorative justice is so necessary in our country.  For more information, check out these articles:

• Repeat offenders among those charged in huge Ontario child porn bust by Tu Thanh Ha at Globe and Mail
• Region police investigate 4 men as part of province-wide child porn bust by The Waterloo Record