Sex workers given voice with red umbrella protest

A group in St. John's used red umbrellas on Wednesday to protest Canada's new prostitution bill.

Organizers launched the event to protestBill C-36, which they feel puts sex trade workers at risk.

It was part of an international day to end violence against sex workers, andthe first protest of its kind in St. John's.

The red umbrellas are considered an international symbol of support for sex workers.

Those in the crowd were calling on Premier Paul Davis to oppose Bill C-36 at the provincial level.

Jenny Wright of the St. John's Status of Women Council says the province needs to support local sex trade workers.

"There are people here who are in the sex trade either by choice, for survival, or trying to exit," she said.

"We support them in any way that they need. But they need more support and they need more safety."

Call for action

Laura Winters of the Safe Harbour Outreach Project said the new bill puts workers at risk.

"What the new law does is to criminalize the buying of sexual services instead of the selling," she said.

"However, there are still pieces that are still criminalized on the selling end."

Winters said not allowing sex workers to advertise online is one way the bill puts them at risk. She said using the internetallows them to screen their clients and keep themselves safe.

The call for action follows a recent so-called red alert issued to sex workers in Newfoundland after reports of gang rape.

Winter thinks it is important for people to think about the rights of people in the sex trade.

"We've hadsome recent hugely, hugely violent acts against sex workers in the province," she said.

"It just goes to show that there are people out there who deem sex workers to be non-persons.That's what we're speaking out against."

Ontario PremierKathleen Wynne has spoken out againstBill C-36,saying she has grave concerns.

The group at Wednesday's protest hopesDavis will bethe next provincial leader to speak up in support of sex workers.