POWER Ottawa is an entirely volunteer run organization by and for sex workers fighting for sex workers’ rights. Going forward in a post C-36 Canada, it is more important now than ever to help out organizations like POWER who are fighting for our rights and pushing for a decriminalized sex industry in Canada. Unlike well-funded anti-prostitution machines who lobbied the federal government in support of C-36, organizations like POWER run on blood, sweat, tears and donations!
They just launched their first crowd funding campaign: www.indiegogo.com/projects/sex-work-is-real-work. They are hoping to raise $10,000 to fight the stigma and discrimination that sex workers face and challenge the laws and policies that put sex workers in harm’s way. The campaign will run until December 20th: a year to the day that the supreme court of Canada struck down the laws. In the wake of this new bill, it’s even more important than ever to support organizations like POWER.
Sex work is legitimate work and sex workers deserve to be protected by Canada’s human rights and labour laws. Right now, this is not the reality.
In 2013, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down three existing laws governing sex work, ruling that they were discriminatory, unconstitutional and put sex workers in danger. Instead of consulting with sex workers to develop a response that would support our rights and serve the needs of the communities in which we work, the federal government introduced created the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (Bill C-36). By continuing to target sex workers, our clients and those who help us in our work (managers, receptionists, security personnel, etc.) C-36 continues to put us at risk of harassment, legal discrimination, social discrimination and violence.
While this is a significant setback, POWER is committed to continuing to advocate for sex worker safety and rights. In spring 2015, POWER will host a national meeting centred around sex workers and our allies to develop a comprehensive strategy to fight for our rights – but we can’t do it alone.
Visit the POWER crowd funding campaign.
Visit POWER’s website.
Follow POWER on Twitter.
Thank you and please spread the word to like minded folks! :)