A new study published in PLOS One reveals a crucial link between social cohesion among sex workers and their safety. Researchers found that when sex workers can build relationships with colleagues, they are more likely to access support services and less likely to experience workplace violence.
The study, conducted by the University of British Columbia, examined how Canadian sex work laws, despite aiming to protect workers, inadvertently isolate and criminalize them. These laws, such as Bill C-36, restrict the ability of sex workers to work together, limiting their capacity to share safety information, establish support networks, and even find safer working environments.
The research highlights the importance of decriminalizing sex work. By removing legal barriers to collaboration, sex workers can better protect themselves through peer support, information sharing, and the creation of safer working spaces. This aligns with successful decriminalization models in New Zealand and Australia, where decriminalization has led to improved sexual health outcomes and reduced exploitative working conditions for sex workers.
While the study acknowledges the complexities of the issue, including the impact of racism, discrimination, and policing on sex workers, it emphasizes the critical role of social cohesion in improving worker safety and well-being.
Key takeaways:
- Strong social ties among sex workers are linked to increased safety and access to support services.
- Current Canadian laws hinder these vital connections by criminalizing collaborative practices.
- Decriminalizing sex work is essential to allowing sex workers to build safer working environments and improve their overall well-being.
This research provides compelling evidence for the need to reform current sex work laws in Canada to prioritize the safety and well-being of sex workers.