Sex worker rights groups are arguing that the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act creates unsafe working conditions for sex workers.

Last week, Canada’s highest court held two days of hearings in relation to an ongoing case that challenges the constitutionality of the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (PCEPA).

The act criminalizes purchasing of sexual services and gaining a material benefit from the sale of another’s sexual services. Appellants of the case argue that PCEPA violates a sex workers section seven Charter rights to liberty and security of the person.

Groups who have mobilized against PCEPA include the Sex Workers’ Action Network (SWAN) and the B.C. Civil Liberties Association. These groups say PCEPA still criminalizes sex workers and forces them into unsafe work conditions.

Concertation des luttes contre l’exploitation sexuelle (CLES), a Quebec organization against sexual exploitation, said they hope PCEPA survives this court challenge because it criminalizes pimps and sex buyers while immunizing sex workers.

“Canada adopted PCEPA in recognition of the fact that prostitution is violence and an obstacle to true equality between men and women,” said Jennie-Laure Sully, a community organizer at CLES.

Organizers with sex-worker led groups say it is harmful to view sex work as inherently exploitative.

“Arguments that sex work is inherently exploitative not only go against evidence, they reinforce assumptions and stereotypes that...

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