Sex Industry Is Focus Of UVic Conference

One of the major barriers sex workers often face is an intense stigma from the public. International scholars, community advocates, health-care workers, policy makers and people who have worked in the sex industry are meeting this month to find ways to dispel some of the common myths and misperceptions about this socially and economically vulnerable group. Members of the public are also invited to participate in this conference.

On January 16 and 17 professionals working to bring about change in the sex industry will come together at the Bedford Regency Hotel in Victoria to discuss the issues facing sex workers today and the impact of different policies on the workers’ health and safety. This is an important and timely discussion due to current challenges to the Canadian Criminal Code regarding prostitution laws.

A lecture on the experiences of sex workers in New Zealand, the only country that has nationally decriminalized its sex industry, will be held at 6 p.m. on January 16. The keynote speakers will discuss how changes in the social and legal environments affect the health, safety, and security of those working in the sex industry.

A day-long workshop on January 17 will develop a curriculum for educating the public about the myths and misperceptions of the sex industry in a bid to reduce the stigma attached to sex work.

This conference, entitled Challenging Myths and Misperceptions: Working to Reduce Stigma and Enhance Public Understanding of People Who Work in the Sex Industry, is hosted by the University of Victoria hub of the Women’s Health Research Network. Registration is free, but space is limited. A conference overview and agenda is available at www.whrn.ca.
 

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