What we do

ResponsibleReporting.ca directly engages with the media to shift their representation of im/migrant sex workers. The project is in consultation with the women we serve and aims to reduce the stigma that misrepresentation causes. The online resource hub challenges irresponsible media coverage and encourages evidence-based reporting of im/migrant sex work, while highlighting the harms that come from conflating it with human trafficking. The intended outcome is for journalists to adopt responsible, accurate, and ethical journalism regarding coverage of both sex work and trafficking. The majority of the project was developed between 2022-24, but new resources will continue to be added to ResponsibleReporting.ca.   

SWAN is training sex work organizations, settlement agencies and other service providers to increase access to frontline supports for im/migrant sex workers. Staff held workshops for the Yukon Status of Women Council, Peers Victoria, Shift Calgary and more, so women can access services when living or working outside of Greater Vancouver. Starting in 2024, SWAN will specifically focus on working with settlement organizations in B.C. to reduce barriers to service for the women we support.  

SWAN conducted a broad community consultation to elicit im/migrant sex workers’ perspectives about law reform, in particular, immigration law reform.  

Following dozens of interviews and a focus group, we identified a need for legal education among the community we support and we’re currently working to fill the gap. Given the inaccessibility of legal processes for the majority of the women we serve, the Racial Justice Project gives women an opportunity to engage with immigration law, the criminal justice system and the law reform process.   

Work on the consultation was done between 2022-2023 and the final report “You’re always on edge:” Sex Work, Immigration, and Canadian Law is now available.  

Program staff will be working with medical clinics, pharmacies and other medical providers within various health authorities to improve healthcare access for im/migrant sex workers. SWAN will dispel the common anti-trafficking myths and address anti-sex work attitudes and bias about the women we support in order to reduce barriers for those seeking care and encourage healthcare staff to apply best practices for patient safety and privacy. This project runs from 2024-2027.