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Moral panic and the sex trafficking media frenzy
Marketing shapes the biggest trafficking awareness campaigns, leading journalists to ditch experts and fall for slogans. Journalists are rushing to the most sensational spokespeople while covering human trafficking, and they all say variations of the same thing…
SWAN Vancouver launches mobile STBBI testing for im/migrant women engaged in indoor sex work
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 26, 2025 SWAN Vancouver launches mobile STBBI testing for im/migrant women engaged in indoor sex work xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) territory/Vancouver, B.C - SWAN Vancouver (SWAN),...
Who’s left behind as B.C. continues to expand pharmacy services?
-Guest Post by Amber Scott, UBC Pharmacy Practicum student The provincial government claims any B.C. resident can see a pharmacist for minor ailments, but new healthcare programs are largely inaccessible to immigrant and migrant women in sex work. In British...
Police drive violence in the unregulated drug and sex work markets
In a significant example of police-triggered harm in a major Western Canadian news market, a carefully crafted police news release led major Calgary newsrooms to report that a woman was arrested and several massage parlours were shut down after an investigation found “links” to human trafficking.
Fishnets, stilettos and the dilemma of ethical imagery
-Crystal Laderas, Communications Manager A woman stands in the middle of a dimly lit room, she leans over a bed while her high heels rest next to extra linens stored below. The light reflects against the room’s four red walls, making her tank top, skirt, and...
Call Script: #StopTheRaids Richmond
Use SWAN's template letter to put more pressure on City Hall"Hi my name is _________ [For Richmond residents: I live in the ____ community in Richmond] and I’m asking the City to stop the raids at massage parlours because they endangering women engaged in sex work. ...