Impacts of third-party advertising criminalization & online censorship on sex workers
Like all service industries, sex workers rely on online advertisements to expand and communicate with their clientele. However, there is limited investigation on the implications of Canada’s criminalisation of thirdparty advertising and increased censorship of sex work, especially for sex workers who work in formal venues (e.g. massage parlours).
Through cohort data with 900+ sex workers and 47 in-depth interviews with indoor sex workers and third-party supports (e.g. managers, reception), our team found that online advertising facilitates safe(r) workplaces and third parties reduce financial burdens. Im/migrant sex workers face additional barriers due to compounded criminalisation.
Applying an Occupational Health & Safety Lens in the Context of Criminalization
The criminalization of sex work in Canada continues to undermine sex workers’ access to occupational health and safety (OHS) best practices. OHS broadly refers to the factors that impact the safety and wellbeing of workers within the workplace.
Through interviews with 47 indoor sex workers and third party supports in Metro Vancouver, we explored sex workers’ OHS, including psychosocial wellbeing and access to sexual health services. We found that sex workers faced limited access to sexual health education, testing and workplace training as well as challenges in implementing OHS best practices.
Opposing B.C. Government’s decision to re-criminalize drug-use in public places
The AESHA team opposes the Government of B.C. and Premier David Eby’s federally-approved decision to further entrench the criminalization of drug users.
Popular discourse and sex work policy often ignore the needs and realities of men, nonbinary, and Two-Spirit (MNB2S) sex workers.
Drawing on in-depth interviews with twenty-one MNB2S sex workers, we found that: MNB2S sex workers face intersecting barriers to reporting violence; and criminalization and censorship of online platforms hinder Men, Nonbinary, and Two-Spirit Sex Workers (MNB2S) sex workers’ safety strategies.
Barriers to sexual health testing for sex workers (Translated)
Access to safe, voluntary, and sex work-friendly sexual health testing is one of many occupational health and safety priorities for sex workers. In the context of ongoing criminalization and occupational stigma, we explored sex workers’ access to HIV/STI testing.
Health barriers among im/migrant sex workers (Translated)
Im/migrant sex workers in Metro Vancouver face significant health barriers shaped by factors such as end-demand criminalization, racialized policing and discrimination.
Health barriers among im/migrant sex workers
Im/migrant sex workers in Metro Vancouver face significant health barriers shaped by factors such as end-demand criminalization, racialized policing and discrimination.
Impacts of COVID-19 on sex workers’ financial security
During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, >200 Vancouver-based sex workers answered survey questions about potential changes faced in working conditions, income, food security, and access to services during the pandemic, as part of the AESHA study
Linking housing precarity & violence among sex workers
Based on data collected from over 900 women sex workers (2010-2019), the AESHA project found that sex workers urgently need safe, dignified & inclusive housing.
Criminalization of clients undermines sex workers’ occupational health & safety
Since 2014, sex work in Canada has been regulated under a legal framework known as ‘end-demand criminalization’. A central part of this framework is to criminalize sex workers’ clients.
Drawing on 47 in-depth interviews with sex workers and third parties (e.g. managers & phone handlers) in Metro Vancouver, we found that client criminalization undermines sex worker’s occupational health and safety.
Impacts of Community Participation on Sex Workers’ Sexual Health
Despite decades of advocacy by sex workers & allies, ongoing criminalization of sex work and occupational stigma hinder sex workers’ ability to collectivize & access support services. “Community participation” has been shown to enhance sex workers’ occupational health, safety & wellbeing around the globe.
5 reasons to end police harassment & surveillance to advance sex workers’ health & labour rights
Sex workers globally have faced disproportionate health and social inequities primarily caused by high levels of criminalization, policing, stigma and limited investment in community-based sex work support services.
Debunking Harms of Third Party Myths
Most service industries include third party systems. In sex work, third parties can be receptionists, managers/venue owners, advertisers, website providers, drivers, housekeepers, spotters and security guards, etc. However, unlike in other industries, sex work third parties are criminalized and stigmatized.
End-demand sex work laws are informed by myths, misinformation and the conflation of sex work with sex trafficking. This cycle of criminalization and stigmatization amplifies dangers for sex workers and hinder sex workers’ access to occupational health and safety.
The harms of policing & criminalization for sex workers who use drugs
Sex workers who use drugs face significant barriers to harm reduction resources as both sex work and drug use are criminalized. Sex workers may face enhanced targeting, harassment and surveillance by law enforcement.