ADDRESSING VIOLENCE AGAINST IM/MIGRANT SEX WORKERS
Calls to Action: Petition & Email Template

On March 16, 2021, eight individuals were murdered in three businesses offering massage services in Atlanta. Whether or not the women murdered were sex workers, they were targeted because the shooter believed that they were.

Horrendous acts of violence based on sex work stigma, racism and misogyny can often make us want to spring into action. We are deeply grateful for all the support you have provided SWAN Vancouver. Now that we have your attention, we hope we can start a broader conversation to push for the systemic changes needed to address the violence experienced by migrant and immigrant (im/migrant) sex workers here in Canada.

The criminalization of sex work in Canada pushes sex work underground and prevents im/migrant sex workers from working in safe work environments and accessing labour protections. It results in stigma that impedes access to basic services, like health care; and it prevents im/migrant sex workers from reporting violence to the authorities, allowing predators to enact violence with impunity.

But there is something you can do about it! Let the federal government know that Canada’s prostitution laws and the immigration prohibition on sex work impede im/migrant sex workers from reporting violence, violate their legal rights, and prevent them from accessing labour protections. Sex work decriminalization is needed now and it MUST include im/migrant sex workers!

SIGN & SHARE OUR PETITION TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

outlining why decriminalization MUST include im/migrant sex workers and include the repeal of the immigration prohibition on sex work. .

COPY & PASTE THE PETITION & SEND IT TO YOUR MP VIA EMAIL:

SUBJECT LINE: Addressing Violence Against Im/Migrant Sex Workers

EMAIL TO: mcu@justice.gc.ca, Minister@cic.gc.ca, and your local Member of Parliament (find which email to copy & paste here)

CC: Justin.Trudeau@parl.gc.ca, Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca, Maryam.Monsef@parl.gc.ca, Jagmeet.Singh@parl.gc.ca, Erin.OToole@parl.gc.ca, Yves-Francois.Blanchet@parl.gc.ca, info@annamiepaul.ca, Randall.Garrison@parl.gc.ca, Jenny.Kwan@parl.gc.ca (See below for more information about these contacts and why they're included as recipients.)

Consider customizing the email according to your personal experience. How are you impacted? Why does this issue matter to you?

These are key members of Canada's federal government, which is responsible for the criminal and immigration laws and policies we are seeking to change.

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