The New Zealand Prostitution Reform Act (PRA) of 2003 is an excellent example of how criminal law reform can "safeguard the human rights of sex workers." Prior to the enactment of the PRA, New Zealand's prostitution laws were very similar to Canada's. Prostitution itself was not criminalized, but virtually all activities associated with sex work were, such as soliciting in public, living on the avails, operating a brothel and procuring. Under this criminalization regime, New Zealand sex workers were extremely vulnerable to coercion and violence.
This research highlight from the CMHC reports on a study done to investigate if landlords disciminate against battered women. The results indicate that there is housing discrimination against women who are leaving abusive relaitonships, though the underlying reasons are not clear and need further exploration.
This research project aims to analyze and document the experiences of poor and racialized women in the urban centre of Toronto. The research was conducted by engaging community workers, advocates, and policy analysts by exploring their stories through the context of public and governent policies at all levels. The research analyzes a wide variety of experiences with poverty and employment barriers & discrimination, lack of access to education, criminalization of women on social assistance/welfare, the housing crisis, abuse, violence, and harassment, mental and physical health, and public recreation. It also provides ideas and initiatives for community-based women's groups and services, and recommendations for housing, social assistance, and childcare.
This paper looks at the application of alternative feminist theories and practices to CRIAW's work on social and economic justice work towards equality for women. Intersectional Feminist Frameworks (IFFs) is the emerging vision being put forward as the way to understand and address gender inqualities. This is critical reflection piece that examines the approaches and principles of intersectional feminist approaches, explores the historical context nationally and internationally, and considers applications at the current juncture in specific areas of social justice for women work, including Immigrant and Refugee Women and Anti-Poverty Campaigns.
This paper examines Ontario family law and the family court system, including recent and anticipated changes to both, through a gendered intersectional lens. In particular, it provides a gender-based intersectional analysis of the implications of family law and the family court system for women who have experienced violence and their children.
The paper has three principle goals. The first is to provide support to frontline workers who assist women involved with family court. The second is to increase the ability of women to negotiate their way through this system so they emerge at the other end with their legal rights respected and with outcomes that keep them and their children safe.
The third is to provide violence against women workers, advocates, and activists with the tools they need to work for change at the community, provincial, and national level.
In January, 2006, OAITH made a submission to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy regarding Bill 27: An Act to amend the Arbitration Act, 1991, the Child and Family Services Act, the Family Law Act, and the Children's Law Reform Act. Focusing on the Arbitration Act and the Children's Law Reform Act, OAITH raises concerns about the unequal power between men and women in mediation and arbitration, the private vs. public nature of family law mediation, and do not recognize the full impact of abuse in relationships.