Umbrella march voices concern about sex workers’ safety

(Update)

Dozens marched with red umbrellas through St Catharines today to mark a national day to end violence against sex trade workers.

The red umbrella is the symbol of the sex trade.

The march comes just a few days before the Supreme Court of Canada rules on prostitution laws. The high court is being asked to strike down an Ontario Court of Appeal ruling that declared the Criminal Code ban on brothels unconstitutional. The ruling says the law puts sex workers in danger by forcing them to work outside. Lawyers for the federal government — and the province are arguing against any decriminalization.

Deb Nanson, organizer of the St Catharines march says legalizing prostitution may put more women at risk. “Criminal charges and drugs are part of it, so maybe an arrest is a rescue and if you make it legal, you’re giving the Robert Picktons permission to kill our women.”

The Supreme Court of Canada will rule on the legality of the country’s anti-prostitution laws on Friday. It will decide if existing laws violate the rights of sex workers.