Canada: Throw out 'bizarre' prostitution laws, court told

[marmar]

from CBC News:



Throw out 'bizarre' prostitution laws, court told
Last Updated: Tuesday, October 6, 2009 | 9:29 PM ET

CBC News


Canada's prostitution laws are puzzling, ill-conceived and contribute to horrific violence against sex workers, a Toronto court heard Tuesday.

Lawyers for dominatrix Terri-Jean Bedford and prostitutes Valerie Scott and Amy Lebovitch are arguing for Canada's current prostitution laws to be thrown out.

"This is not about a right to sell sex — you can sell sex," Alan Young, a lawyer for the women, told Ontario Superior Court on Tuesday.

"It's about a right to liberty and security."

While prostitution is technically legal, virtually every activity associated with it is not.

The Criminal Code of Canada prohibits communication for the purpose of prostitution. It also prohibits keeping a common bawdy house for the purpose of prostitution. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2009/10/06/canada-prostitution-decriminalize685.html

[TorchTheWitch]

1. I like this comment from the comments section...

densham wrote:
"It's puzzling to me how the provision of some personal services is not a problem, but others will bring about the downfall of society. I can get someone to give me a massage, clean my teeth, manicure my hands, cook my food - no worries. But anything related to sex so offends puritan sensibilities that it must lead to social disruption? Go, puritans. Ban prostitution. But let us at least be consistent. Also save me from the predations of dental hygienists. Preserve me from the criminal element associated with registered massage therapists. Free the oppressed estheticians. Shame cooks, and prosecute their vile pimps, the chefs, to the fullest extent of your senseless law."

[SidDithers]

2. There are puritans on both sides of the border...

we've even got 'em here at DU.

Sid

[Berry Cool]

3. Then again, some people call other people "puritanical"

just because they believe that sex should be an expression of love and feeling between people, and not just a commodity to be bought and sold. Not just a "service" people perform for other people they don't give a damn about in return for money. Not just another physical function like eating, sleeping, pissing and shitting.

I have nothing against sex at all. I am opposed to the SELLING of sex, the commodification of sex. I fail to see how that makes me "puritanical."

[SidDithers]

4. No, you are opposed to other people selling sex...

you want the rest of the world to adhere to your entirely subjective moral code, instead of recognizing that people have the right to do what they want with their own bodies.

Sid

[Johonny]

6. lol

winner.

[Toasterlad]

8. "they believe that sex should be an expression of love and feeling between people"

I guess those two dogs I saw doin' it on my lawn this morning were expressing their love. I feel bad for turning the hose on them now.

You shouldn't have the right to tell other people what they can and can't do with their bodies. And wanting to do so DOES make you puritanical. It's pretty much the DEFINITION of puritanical.

[Zywiec]

10. I guess you're pro-life too

and want to restrict what women can do with their bodies?

Or is that an exception?

:crazy:

[rd_kent]

11. Why? Are you opposed to someone "selling" their carpentry skills?

[aikoaiko]

5. widespread decrminalizing of marijuana and prostitution is so close to the tipping point

its surprising that it hasn't happened yet.

[Lucy Goosey]

7. Prostitution has been illegal forever, and yet it hasn't curbed demand or supply

I'm in favour of decriminalization - criminalization simply isn't working.

[lightningandsnow]

9. I am so happy this is getting media coverage.

I've been a strong ally in the decrim movement for a while now, and I love that it's finally gaining momentum.

Sex work is work!

Sex worker rights are human rights!