Argento, Elena; Goldenberg, Shira; Braschel, Melissa; Machat, Sylvia; Strathdee, Steffanie A.; Shannon, Kate
2020-04-06
Link to PLOS ONE
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0225783Sex workers experienced significantly reduced access to critical health and sex worker/community-led services following implementation of the new laws. Findings suggest end-demand laws may exacerbate and reproduce harms of previous criminalized approaches to sex work in Canada. This study is one of the first globally to evaluate the impact of end-demand approaches to sex work. There is a critical evidence-based need to move away from criminalization of sex work worldwide to ensure full labor and human rights for sex workers. Findings warn against adopting end-demand approaches in other cities or jurisdictions.