Laws to combat sex trafficking

A previous research report to the Task Force discusses the incidence of sex trafficking in Canada as well as specific issues of trafficking for sexual exploitation in Canada and the impacts on women and girls in particular.2 The overall purpose of the research is to analyze Canada’s legal framework for addressing sex trafficking,. [...] As sex trafficking is embedded in commercial prostitution and forced prostitution involving a threat 1 The Canadian Women’s Foundation has also commissioned an overall assessment of sex trafficking; a review of legislation and regulation; a review of the specific impact of legislation on Aboriginal women and girls; and a review of current services and best practices for victims of trafficking. [...] As a historical matter, this link between human trafficking and prostitution was formally recognized by the predecessor to the UN Trafficking Protocol, the 1949 UN Convention for the suppression of traffic in persons and of the exploitation of the prostitution of others. [...] As demonstrated by the first judicial interpretation of human trafficking in Canada, one of the means of “procuring” a person for prostitution is identical to one of the means of human trafficking: a legal equation intended by the human trafficking law’s architects.5. [...] This report will attempt to use neutral language and refer to people who purchase sex acts as “johns” or “sex buyers” and people whose are sold for/sell sex as “women and girls in prostitution.” In all instances, the report looks to the current laws on sex trafficking and prostitution in the Canadian Criminal Code for guidance on the legality and illegality of sex buying and selling.