Covenant House Vancouver

As the 2010 Olympics quickly approaches the city is getting visibly busier: transit, businesses and yes: sex trade workers and escorts. With the Olympics comes the increase demand for sex trade workers and escorts both male and female.

The group REED (Resist Exploitation, Embrace Dignity) is running a campaign called "Buying Sex is not a Sport."

"Buying Sex Is Not a Sport is a grassroots campaign to raise awareness and effect change around sex trafficking and the 2010 Olympic games. The demand for sexual access to the bodies of women and children fuels human trafficking. Women and children in Metro Vancouver and Whistler are routinely coerced into the flesh trade to meet this demand, and a large sporting event such as the 2010 Olympics will only further exploitation through a rise in the demand for paid sex. Demand is an issue we have already flagged in Canada and have been working against for years.

The very workings of human trafficking are a market-based model of supply and demand. There is an uncontrolled male demand for sexual access to the bodies of women (and children) and the supply for this demand is met through violating the dignity of women. It is our conviction that in order to stem the tide of human trafficking we must end the demand for paid sex. Demand flourishes in an atmosphere of anonymity" from REED's website.

As the world visits Vancouver it is our chance to show them what a wonderful city we have: kind people, amazing natural beauty, and a vibrant atmosphere. We should not be showing the world that we support human trafficking and the abuse of children, men and women. I encourage you all to learn as much as you can about human trafficking and Vancouver's sex trade. And to do your part to make sure that buying sex is not a part of Vancouver's Olympic legacy.

Other articles of interest:

Covenant House blog
The Province
BCHR Coaliation
Prositution Resarch and Education
The Future Group
Human Trafficking in BC