As the world commemorates International Sex Workers’ Day on June 2nd, a significant spotlight shines on the continued stigmatization of the sex work community in Canada. This day, rooted in a 1975 protest by sex workers in Lyon, France, calls for global recognition of sex work as labour and demands equal access to justice for sex workers.
On this day, we sat down with one of our Shift Peers to discuss sex workers’ rights and current challenges in Alberta.
A Peer-Led Effort
One aspect of the Shift Program is it’s peer-led support system. A Shift Program peer support worker who also works as a sex worker in Calgary shared her journey and the impact of peer support in her community.
“I started out as a sex worker in Calgary. I learned about Shift through a bad date sheet I saw in the bathroom of a healthcare facility,” she recalled. “I then sought support when I was looking for condoms and other safer sex supplies. That’s how I was introduced to Shift.”
The Shift Program peer support worker found a lifeline from that initial interaction through the program’s peer-based support group, Thrive. This group connected her with other sex workers in a supportive setting. “This group provided me with resources, books, and a workbook—the Thriving in Sex Work series, as well as Annie Temple’s Business Bible,” she said. “I also enjoyed learning about different types of sex work through that group. Not everyone in the group is an in-person sex worker; some do online work only, some do fetish work, and some do a combination of both. Others do completely different things that still fall under the sex work umbrella.”
Her involvement with the Thrive group and exposure to the diversity within the sex work community led her to discover her passion for advocacy. “Through the people I met there, I heard about the Answers Conference in May 2023. At that assembly, I learned more about Canadian sex work law and decriminalization, which sparked my passion for advocacy.”
Sex Worker Advocacy and Safety
At the Answers Conference, she observed the importance of involving people with lived experience in non-profit organizations’ programming. “At the conference, I noticed that most organizations present were peer-led, and at the time, Shift did not have a peer with lived or living experience working in the program. That was important to me, so I joined Shift’s advisory committee and advocated for hiring a sex worker at Shift.”
She elaborated on the challenges volunteers faced before hiring a peer support worker. “Previously, the support group was all volunteer run, which was taxing on volunteers, especially those with lived experience who often had to decline bookings to host meetings. It costs workers a lot of money sometimes to stay committed.”
Having a paid peer support worker at Shift marked a significant improvement. “Having my role there was important because it’s not just something I’m doing as a favour to my community—I believe in ‘nothing about us without us.’ This is crucial to me,” she emphasized.
“Although sex work itself isn’t criminal, many safety precautions are. This further endangers the lives of sex workers because they can’t work together, hire security, openly negotiate, or communicate with clients. The perception of sex work laws doesn’t allow sex workers to outsource business help, such as hiring receptionists or advertising. In my experience, I had to learn how to do everything myself—bookings, accounting, advertising, social media, booking spaces, arranging travel, and more. This is where exploitation comes in because seeking help from others is criminalized, creating a gray area that leads to more dangerous conditions.”
Shift Program Peer SUpport Worker
Barriers and Stigma for Sex Workers
Sex workers in Alberta face numerous barriers, from accessing housing and financial services to dealing with pervasive stigma. “Finding housing, for example, is very difficult if a sex worker is honest about their source of income,” the Shift Program peer support worker explained. “Landlords are often trained to look for what they call sex trafficking, giving them reasons to enter your property and evict you.”
She also highlighted the broader societal challenges sex workers face. “Public perceptions of sex work are also a challenge. Sex workers are not just sex workers—they might be parents, daughters, and have other careers. Mentioning you’re a sex worker in general society often leads to stigma and judgment.”
Moreover, she described the legal and safety challenges inherent in the current Canadian legal system. “Although sex work itself isn’t criminal, many safety precautions are. This further endangers the lives of sex workers because they can’t work together, hire security, openly negotiate, or communicate with clients. The perception of sex work laws doesn’t allow sex workers to outsource business help, such as hiring receptionists or advertising. In my experience, I had to learn how to do everything myself—bookings, accounting, advertising, social media, booking spaces, arranging travel, and more. This is where exploitation comes in because seeking help from others is criminalized, creating a gray area that leads to more dangerous conditions.”
Exploitation and the Importance of Peer Support
The Shift Program peer support worker emphasized how peer support, and access to a rights-based program, significantly reduces exploitation. “When I first entered the industry, I was very naive and did not understand the safety precautions used within the industry. I eventually gained this knowledge through working with other sex workers who showed me the ropes. Some of these workers exploited me while showing me the ways they did things, and some clients tried to be helpful. This led me to work alone, which resulted in isolation.”
She continued, “A peer-based support model helps sex workers gain knowledge without exploitation, as peers are compensated for their labour and expertise. As a participant of the Shift Program with SafeLink Alberta, sex workers can gain information, resources, supplies, and support in the industry without becoming affiliated with exploitative people whose intention is often to profit off them.”
Her role at Shift allows her to provide crucial support and information about safety without judgment or exploitation. “I’ve seen Shift help people, especially marginalized individuals who distrust law enforcement and don’t think they have any options if something goes wrong. Shift provides support by offering alternatives and talking through situations without telling people what to do. It’s a good place for advice, support, and advocacy.”
“Sex workers are being silenced, leading to less favourable outcomes since the discussions aren’t about the real issues sex workers face but rather perceived trafficking.”
Shift Program Peer Support Worker
A Call to Action: Remove Sanctions on Sex Work in Canada
On this International Sex Workers’ Day, it’s crucial to amplify the voices calling for the end of current prohibitions on sex work in Canada. The existing laws persist in creating obstacles to safety, marginalizing the rights of sex workers, and endangering lives. On May 28th 2024, the Supreme Court of Canada rejected The Canadian Alliance of Sex Work Law Reform (CASWLR) request to intervene and participate in Kloubakov v Canada. The case concerns the constitutionality of sex work laws based on sex workers’ Charter rights. CASWLR, which the Shift Program is a member of, is a coalition of twenty-three leading sex workers’ rights organizations across Canada. As the Shift Program peer support worker articulated, “Decisions about sex workers’ livelihoods and work shouldn’t be made in a Supreme Court criminal trial without sex workers’ input.”
Removing these barriers would allow sex workers to operate safely, access essential services without fear of discrimination, and seek justice when wronged. “Currently, no sex workers are able to intervene in the Kloubakov v Canada ” she said. “Sex workers are being silenced, leading to less favourable outcomes since the discussions aren’t about the real issues sex workers face but rather perceived trafficking.”
About Shift
Shift is a Calgary-based program under SafeLink Alberta that provides support to adults currently or previously engaged in sex work. With a rights-based approach, the Shift Program acknowledges sex work as a choice for many and respects their autonomy while offering resources to those affected by factors such as poverty or exploitation. The program provides safer sex supplies, support groups, and advocacy, ensuring that sex workers can access the help they need without judgment or coercion.
Seeking Support?
If you or someone you know needs support, resources, or just someone to talk to, the Shift Program is here to help. For more information, visit SafeLink Alberta or contact the Shift Program directly here:
Stay in touch, sign up for our newsletter:
Please click the button below to provide your consent to receive messages SafeLink Alberta. This is important so you don’t miss out on updates about our events, presentations, programs and services.
Thank you!
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact