In 2007, three Ontario sex workers initiated a constitutional challenge to provisions of the Criminal Code that prohibit various aspects of adult prostitution, including:
- s. 210 (keeping or being found in a bawdy house),
- s. 212(1)(j) (living on the avails of prostitution), and
- s. 213(1)(c) (communicating in public for the purpose of prostitution)
Although the Yukon Women's Coalition (YWC) has successfully advocated for some
changes to the City of Whitehorse Vehicle for Hire (VFH) Bylaw (2018-26), it is evident
that taxis are still not a safe transportation option, particularly for Indigenous women.
In response to a public outcry about sexualized violence that occurred in a Whitehorse
taxi in early 2021, YWC launched a survey to hear directly from community members
about what was happening and what needs to change.
This report outlines the results and contains graphic descriptions of violence.
The survey was available to the public in both French and English for nine days in
February 2021. During this period, 174 people responded, 160 of whom identified as
women. The report details the results.
*Note- contains descriptions of violence which may be impactful for readers.
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.
En 2007, trois travailleuses du sexe de l'Ontario ont initié une contestation constitutionnelle visant les sections du Code criminel interdisant divers aspects du travail du sexe adulte, dont :
- s. 210 (tenir une maison de débauche ou s'y trouver),
- s. 212(1)(j) (vivre des fruits de la prostitution), et
- s. 213(1)(c) (communiquer en public à des ns de prostitution)
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.
1. If sex work is decriminalized, will be there be laws in place that target harm and exploitation?
Yes. Laws that directly target these harms will remain in place including those that prohibit physical assault, sexual assault, threatening, harassment, murder, extortion, human tra cking, and child exploitation.
The report provides an overview of femicide in Ontario from November 1st -November 25th, 2021. It is important to note that the information pertaining to these femicide cases may be incomplete due to ongoing police investigations. As investigations continue there will likely be further details released, allowing for a more thorough analysis of femicide trends in Ontario. It is also important to note the total number of confirmed femicides may not be accurate. The OAITH femicide list relies on media reporting to track femicide cases and as a result these totals may not capture all of the femicide victims who may have been omitted from media coverage.
In January 2007, OAITH made a submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs as part of the province's Pre-Budget Consultations. The submission makes recommendations built around the "10 Steps to End Violence Against Women" as part of the Step It Up campaign launched the previous year.
1. Si l'industrie du sexe est décriminalisée, existera-t-il des lois visant à lutter contre le préjudice et l'exploitation?
OUI. Les lois qui ciblent directement ces préjudices seront maintenues, y compris celles qui interdisent les agressions physiques et sexuelles, les menaces, le harcèlement, le meurtre, l'extorsion, la traite de personnes et l'exploitation des enfants.