Please see the full report at the link below;
BCCEW_Final_Report_Violence_and_Domestic_Trafficking
Purpose of the Consultation
The purpose of the consultation was to develop a regional perspective on two important
issues: Violence, and Domestic Trafficking. To date, sex workers in the region have had
little input into informing these issues, much less an opportunity to work in collaboration
with other stakeholders to address them.
The 17th Annual Harm Reduction Conference presents an ideal gathering at which to
share these findings as it provides an opportunity for sex workers to share the realities
of violence and domestic trafficking with Canadian researchers, decision-makers and
the public and with activists working on these issues internationally. We also look
forward to the Conference as a way to develop international ties with other activists
working on harm reduction with respect to sex worker and related issues.
Process Background / Methodology
The From the Curb consultation was designed, delivered, documented and disseminated by women in and from the sex industry. Seven members of the BCCEW were contracted to facilitate two distinct workshops with sex workers from across the region; one focused on violence, the other on domestic trafficking within their home communities and throughout the BC/Yukon region. Each contractor consulted with
sixteen sex workers over February and March 2006.
The inquiry questions were designed to be administered as one-on-one interviews or through focus groups, depending on the population of sex workers targeted and their level of comfort with group process. Data was collected in Prince George, White Rock,
Vancouver, Kamloops, Guildford and Surrey. (See Appendix A for complete list of inquiry questions.)
The experience in the sex industry of those interviewed varied. Some were actively involved in the industry, others recently transitioned out of sex work. Their history in sex work ranged from on-street to off-street within licensed and unlicensed venues and off-street independent workers and active and former dancers. All consulted had experience in the street-level industry in Canada as well as in other countries. Their
years working in the industry also varied ranging from two to 19 years of experience. For example, a 20-year old sex worker had 8 years experience in the sex industry and a 47-year old had 3 years experience. This range of experience in life and as sex workers
contributed to the richness of the data collected. (See Appendix B, Note from the Author.)
Demographic information was provided voluntarily by respondents. Sex workers consulted ranged in age from 16 to 47 years of age. Information related to race or ethnicity, typically traditionally used to profile sex workers, was deliberately excluded from data collection. Our purpose in this was to make the statement that sex working populations are as diverse as the community at large because sex workers are
members of the community.
We note that not all of the individuals consulted answered all questions. Some respondents who felt emotionally triggered were able to skip questions that had the potential to re-victimize them.
