Canadian Journal of Public Health
Volume 110, Issue 5, 2019, Pages 575-583

Sex workers’ experiences and occupational conditions post-implementation of end-demand criminalization in Metro Vancouver, Canada (Article)

Machat S. , Shannon K. , Braschel M. , Moreheart S. , Goldenberg S.M.*
  • a Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, St. Paul’s Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
  • b Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, St. Paul’s Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada, Faculty of Medicine, St. Paul’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
  • c Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, St. Paul’s Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
  • d Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, St. Paul’s Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
  • e Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, St. Paul’s Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Blusson Hall, Room 11300, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada, Division of Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Objectives: In 2014, Canada introduced end-demand criminalization (the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (PCEPA)), criminalizing purchase of sexual services while leaving the sale of sex legal. We assessed factors correlated with self-reported changes in working conditions post-PCEPA among sex workers (SWs) in Metro Vancouver. Methods: Post-PCEPA data for one year were drawn from a community-based cohort of SWs. We analyzed self-reported changes in working conditions among 299 participants who worked prior to PCEPA and were asked about working conditions post-PCEPA. Multivariate GEE analysis evaluated factors correlated with negative changes post-PCEPA, including reduced capacity to screen clients and reduced access to workspaces/clients. Results: Most (72.2%) experienced no change in working conditions, and 26.4% reported negative changes (e.g., reduced ability to screen clients or reduced access to workspaces/clients). Reporting negative changes was correlated with being an im/migrant to Canada (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.79, 95% CI 1.59–4.92) and recent physical workplace violence (AOR 4.01, 95% CI 1.12–14.40). In sub-analysis, physical/sexual workplace violence (AOR 3.77, 95% CI 1.17–12.16) and living in the suburbs of Richmond/Burnaby (AOR 2.81, 95% CI 1.15–6.84) correlated with reduced screening capacity; incarceration (AOR 2.98, 95% CI 1.04–8.57) and being an im/migrant (AOR 2.39, 95% CI 1.14–4.99) correlated with reduced access to workspaces/clients. Conclusions: Most SWs reported no change in working conditions and one quarter reported negative changes, suggesting that PCEPA may be failing to advance sex workers’ safety. Im/migrants, women experiencing workplace violence, and those facing criminalization were most likely to report negative impacts. Decriminalization of all aspects of sex work is needed to support well-being, health, and safety. © 2019, The Canadian Public Health Association.

Author Keywords

Sex work Criminalization occupational health Nordic model PCEPA Immigration

Index Keywords

controlled study human female major clinical study Canada cohort analysis adult occupational health work environment sex worker Article workplace violence immigration wellbeing migrant human experiment
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85073926439&doi=10.17269%2fs41997-019-00226-z&partnerID=40&md5=e6c225d41aea6fa27aae55e4d1917035
DOI: 10.17269/s41997-019-00226-z
ISSN: 00084263
Original Language: English