News & Updates
STATEMENT: Ontario Superior Court dismisses PCEPA challenge
We are deeply disappointed in the Ontario Superior Court’s decision to dismiss a Charter challenge to the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act. Im/migrant sex workers will continue to face criminalization, violence and stigma under PCEPA. The...
Immigrant and migrant women in sex work have different rights
Immigrant and migrant sex workers have different rights. Their legal status in Canada dictates what privileges they have or what consequences they could face if they’re found to be doing sex work in the country. The biggest difference is migrants face serious...
Delivering safer sex supplies to im/migrant women in sex work
A thousand condoms and safer sex supplies are being loaded into the trunk of Hayley Leung’s car. The Outreach Coordinator has her route’s massage businesses and apartments mapped out: a few stops in the city before heading to Burnaby and the Tri-Cities. Persistence...
SWAN Vancouver speaks to House of Commons Committee
On Monday May 15, 2023, SWAN Vancouver spoke to the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women for its study on human trafficking. Executive Director Angela made the following presentation:Download a PDF of SWAN's brief here >Good morning, Committee...
Birth control is now free in B.C., except for migrant women engaged in sex work
British Columbia is being praised as the first province to offer free birth control, but for many immigrant and migrant women engaged in sex work, this program changes nothing. After the B.C. government announced the free prescription contraceptives…
Sex workers – victims or threats: Practicum students explore misconceptions of im/migrant women engaged in sex work
They’re victims of exploitation, or they’re a threat to society – these are the common stereotypes and misconceptions about im/migrant women engaged in sex work.