Canadian Sex Workers
In broad terms, prostitution is the provision of sexual services by an individual in return for financial gain. Prostitution has been prevalent in human society since the latter’s invention. However, it has changed tremendously since its inception. The evolution of the clandestine trade has appeared in numerous forms. Today, there are different forms of prostitution including street prostitution, brothel, escort, tourist and virtual. Owing to the massive changes in society, prostitution has gained much space in the modern society. Some countries, especially in the West, have legalized sex trade although some, especially in developing countries, are yet to do so. The issue of whether prostitution needs to be legalized is extremely controversial. It pits the liberals against the conservatives and the various religious groups in society. One of the fast emerging trends of prostitution is the steady growth in male prostitution, which was not previously common (Van Der Poel, 270). This is where men offer themselves for sex in return for monetary gain. Debates have emerged on what are the reasons behind this interesting trend. However, there is yet to be an agreement on the issue. In Canada, prostitution is legal although there are activities associated with prostitution that are illegal. The increasing rise of male prostitution has raised massive concern in the country owing to the weak regulations concerned with it. There is, therefore, the need for regulation in the country to focus on the emerging trend to provide a holistic framework to regulate male prostitution.
In Canada, male prostitution is not as common as female prostitution. Indeed, research on the issue suggests that between 75% and 80% of prostitutes in the country are female. Consequently, male prostitution forms an almost insignificant proportion of the trade. This has resulted in the exemption of male prostitutes in the development of policies to guide the trade. Additionally, there are massive misconceptions of male prostitution in the country. For most people, male prostitutes are not as vulnerable to crime as female prostitutes. As a result, most of the research on prostitution has focused on ways to regulate female prostitution while disregarding the existence of male prostitutes and the need to incorporate it in any policy formulation. Indeed, much of the data available with regard to prostitution in Canada touches on female prostitution. This includes research on causes of prostitution and the safety of sex workers. Mostly, this has been as a result of the perceived vulnerability of women prostitutes in the country. It is indeed, true that female prostitutes face more challenges than their male counterparts. These include violence, which often result in death especially for street prostitutes. However, this does not imply that male prostitutes do not face similar challenges. This is especially the case considering that most male prostitutes are youthful while their clients are often mature males (Van Den and Haastrecht 305). Indeed, according to research, most male prostitutes enter the trade at the age of between 16 and 20 years. Most of these youths are often runaways who cannot endure the socio-economic situation at home. Consequently, these youths are vulnerable to their clients since they lack the experience and resources to face up to their clients.
The other issue concerning male prostitutes in the country is that of organized crime. Often, prostitution bears a close relationship with the illicit drug trade. Indeed, male prostitution often takes place under the auspices of powerful cartels. Most of the youthful male prostitutes get recruited into the trade through these cartels that often procure “work” for them. Therefore, the youthful male prostitutes lack the power to control their endeavors. The control falls on the cartel, which often exploits and abuses the prostitute. Additionally, most of these cartels often introduce the youthful male prostitutes to drug use. Once the youth becomes hooked to drug use, he becomes vulnerable since he needs a constant supply of the same. This makes most of these youths unable to extricate themselves from prostitution since they need supply of the expensive drugs, which only the cartel can provide through the youths escapades as prostitutes. Additionally, the powerful nature of the cartels makes the youths to fear for their lives in case they want to leave the profession. Consequently, many find themselves unable to leave prostitution and occasionally even commit suicide.
Another pertinent issue with regard to male prostitution is stigmatization (Van Den and Haastrecht 303). Globally, homosexuals are yet to get the universal acceptance attributable to heterosexuals. Indeed, they face rejection and stigmatization even in progressive societies like Canada. As a result, while most people accept the presence of female prostitution in society, they are yet to acknowledge the presence of male prostitution. This implies that male prostitution does not get recognition in the formulation of policies and laws regarding prostitution. Further, while female prostitutes often protest openly when they deem that their rights face violation, their male counterparts do not have the same audacity. As a result, male prostitutes often endure such violations quietly. In addition, the lack of recognition of male prostitution in the country means that there are remarkably few support organizations for male prostitutes unlike for female ones. This has denied male prostitutes invaluable support services that can be helpful to them especially with regard to their rehabilitation.
Current Legal Framework
In Canada, prostitution is largely legal. However, the law previously criminalized communicating with the intention to either buy or sell prostitution services. This has been in place since when the communicating law replaced the then existing soliciting law in December 1985. Since, then, the number of males charged with communicating has risen dramatically. Between 1977 and 1985 when the soliciting law was in place, males charged with the offence amounted to 36% of the persons charged. However, this figure rose between 1986 and 1995 when the communicating law came into place. However, women convicted of the offence faced more severe sentences than their male counterparts. The aim of the communicating law is to make prostitution in Canada increasingly invisible. According to the Fraser Committee that proposed the law, such a move would make prostitution less of a public nuisance than it was before the formulation of the law. The other law criminalizing acts related to prostitution is that concerned with bawdy-house offences. According to the law, it is illegal to keep a common bawdy-house. Further, it is illegal to illegally occupy a bawdy-house or take a person to a bawdy-house. Another related law is that concerned with the procurement of prostitution services. Firstly, it is illegal to procure a person to engage in prostitution. It is also illegal to entice a person to a place for prostitution if he is not a prostitute. The law also criminalizes the concealment of a person in a bawdy-house or helping a person to enter Canada or even leave for procurement purposes. It is also illegal to encourage someone to engage prostitution for personal gain. The law also criminalizes the act of enticing or forcing an individual to consume drugs for to help such a person to engage in sexual activity. Lastly, it is criminal to procure or attempt to procure sexual services from a minor (Van Der Poel, 267).
Policy Formulation
It is an undeniable fact that prostitution, both male and female, exists in Canada. Further, the government has made commendable efforts to regulate the clandestine industry. However, the current policies and laws have serious flaws that need quick address to ensure social stability. It is only prudent that stakeholders strive to understand the industry first before attempting to regulate it. This is because only well-informed policies can be helpful in the long-term. First, stakeholders need to understand the various forms of prostitution in existence, in the country today. Indeed, most of the policies target street prostitution, which is more visible than any other. Additionally, such policies totally ignore male prostitutes who form a core part of the industry. It is also worth evaluating why people engage in prostitution to understand how to counter the social ill. While it is true that most people join prostitution willingly, one cannot ignore the issue of coercion and manipulation in some cases (Kobayashim and Peake 230). The argument that these people deserve no public protection, therefore, cannot hold. However, policies should not only address the safety of male prostitutes. Indeed, they should also seek ways to counter the spread of the vice by addressing its main causes. Such policies should also strive to help male prostitutes find rehabilitation and other support services easily.
Conclusion
Male prostitution is likely not to die in the foreseeable future. However, it is possible to limit the number of young men wasting their potential in prostitution. It is also possible to enhance their safety if not dignity while undertaking their business. However, there is a need to eradicate the stigma associated with male prostitution. This can be immensely helpful in reducing cases of exploitation, abuse and insecurity associated with male prostitution. It can also help rehabilitate male prostitutes willing to give up the trade for other productive endeavors.
Works Cited:
Kobayashi,Anne, and Peake, Linda. “Unnatural discourse: Race and gender in Geography.” Gender, Place and Culture 1(1994):225-243, Print.
Van Der Poel, Sari. “Professional male prostitution: A negelcted phenomenon.” Crime Law and Social Change 18.3 (1992): 259-275. Print.
Van Den, Hoek, and Haastrecht, Coutinho. “Homosexual prostitution among male drug users and its risk for HIV infection.” Genitourinary Medicine 67.4(1991): 303-306. Print.
