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Prostitution


Prostitution by definition is the practice or occupation of engaging in sexual activity with someone for payment. This payment can take the form of money, food, a place to sleep, a ride home or anything else that meets a need. Prostitution is the most common endpoint of human trafficking. Massage parlours, strip clubs and escort service agencies are also common venues for prostitution.

Prostitution is a system of violence and exploitation that undermines the inherent dignity and value of all human beings. It is a form of primarily male violence against women and girls that is perpetuated by the demand created by sex buyers.

Our Work on Prostitution


Defend Dignity is committed to the abolition of prostitution and all forms of sexual exploitation. We pursue this by supporting survivors of exploitation with our Survivor Support Fund, advocating for laws that fight sexual exploitation, and raising awareness about sexual exploitation issues.

Read our June 2024 submission to the UN's call for input on a report by the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls.

Click below to learn about our work on prostitution in Canada.


More About Our Work

What is Human Trafficking?


Human trafficking involves the recruitment, transportation, harbouring and/ or exercising control, direction or influence over the movements of a person in order to exploit that person, typically through sexual exploitation or forced labour. It is often described as a modern form of slavery.

Since 2018, Canada has recognized February 22nd as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Learn more about human trafficking in Canada.

Read our brief on Human Trafficking that was submitted to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights in April 2018.

Read Brief


  • What are Canada's Prostitution Laws?

    Learn about the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (PCEPA) Learn More

  • dD Research on Sex Buyers Attitudes

    A 2023 published research paper about the attitudes sex buyers have towards those they are purchasing — Learn More

  • Over-Representation of Indigenous People

    Indigenous women and girls are vastly overrepresented in cases of exploitation and trafficking in Canada — Learn More

  • 2024 UN Report—Prostitution as Violence Against Women & Girls

    Learn More

  • Addressing Demand

    Learn More

  • Body Rub Parlours

    Summary | Guide

Below is a 10 minute video that portrays the difficulties that those in prostitution encounter in making a life change, how to help them, and how to take a stand for justice.

Pornography


Pornography is at the root of most sexual exploitation. It normalizes sexual violence against women and has permeated our culture. We need to understand the dangers of our pornified culture and work to change it.

Submission to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics

STUDY: PROTECTION OF PRIVACY AND REPUTATION ON PLATFORMS SUCH AS PORNHUB

SUBMITTED BY: Defend Dignity February 25, 2021


Read Press Release

RealityCheck: 10 Myths About Porn

Read this PDF of myths about porn geared especially towards youth age 13-17 as well as their parents. Created by Talita International.

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From the Canadian Nurse’s Journal

Addressing Pornography, Part 1: Harms on individuals, families and society. Part 2: Implications for nursing practice

Part 1
Part 2

Defend Dignity Director writes a rebuttal to a Montreal Gazette article from May 30, 2018

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Pornography: A Public Health Crisis


A significant way to bring change to our pornified culture is by addressing pornography as a public health crisis. To learn more about Defend Dignity’s research and action plan.

To download the Defend Dignity research and action plan paper, “Pornography: A Public Health Crisis” click on the button below.

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