Coalition begins trafficking awareness campaign aimed at Pan Am Games
“The norm isn’t Robert Pickton, it could be your coworker, neighbour or friend.”
TORONTO, ON—As Canada gears up to host one of the world’s premiere athletic events, a coalition dedicated to combating human trafficking is preparing to remind participants and spectators alike that buying sex is not a sport.
Toronto will host the Pan Am Games in July 2015, and organizers expect an influx of thousands of people into the city.
Meanwhile the “Buying Sex is Not a Sport” coalition is getting its campaign into full swing. It hopes to raise awareness about human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Canada, in an effort to challenge the demand for paid sex.
“Most of what we find indicates the purchase of sex goes up around major sporting events,” says Glendyne Gerrard. “We decided to use the Pan Am Games to draw attention to what is happening all the time at these sporting events. We want to start conversations about the demand for paid sex in order to challenge that demand.”
Gerrard directs Defend Dignity, an advocacy group working to end prostitution in Canada. Working with representatives from the Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec, several police organizations, the Reformed Church in America and front-line organizations such as Rahab Ministry, Gerrard is organizing awareness events and calling the Church to pray.
“I’m amazed at how often people are shocked exploitation like this happens in Canada. Victor Malarek of [the television show] ‘W5’ found that one in nine Canadian men buy sex. The norm isn’t [serial killer and rapist] Robert Pickton; it’s the average guy who has been to college, has a partner and maybe kids. It could be your co-worker, neighbour or friend.”
Gerrard says the notion that it’s okay for men to purchase sex is generally accepted in Canada and until that idea is challenged and the demand for paid sex is curbed, human trafficking will remain.
“Prostitution is firstly a money business, similar to drugs,” says Constable Smith, a member of the Peel Regional Police whose name has been changed for security reasons. “Sex sells and there is a high demand for it in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).”
In 2008, the Peel Regional Police successfully obtained the first human trafficking conviction in the country and have become national leaders in the field. On September 24, Smith shared some of her experience in policing the issue at the first awareness event of the Buying Sex is Not a Sport campaign.
The coalition has several October events scheduled and hopes for more during the fall and winter. Each event features Katarina MacLeod, a formerly exploited woman from the GTA, while Smith and another member of the police discuss enforcement. Attendees have a chance to network with front-line organizations working directly with trafficked women.
“Our hope is that everyone will learn a few things, go home and talk to their friends and family,” Gerrard explains. “We wouldn’t have the victims if men weren’t purchasing. Hopefully, by raising awareness, we will start breaking those stereotypical norms and challenge the demand.”
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