The Safe Harbour Outreach Project says lifting the ban on massage parlours, along with proper safety regulations, is the best way to protect sex workers.
St. John’s originally cracked down on massage parlours in 2015 pending new regulations that never materialized. Councillor Maggie Burton raised the matter this week, saying it was time to end the ban.
SHOP Programming Coordinator Heather Jarvis says the ban was one-sided from the start, focusing on neighbours’ complaints without thinking of the affected workers.
Jarvis says there was no consultation with sex workers before the moratorium was put into place, and there has never been evidence that a total ban would address safety and exploitation concerns.
St. John’s originally cracked down on massage parlours in 2015 pending new regulations that never materialized. Councillor Maggie Burton raised the matter this week, saying it was time to end the ban.
SHOP Programming Coordinator Heather Jarvis says the ban was one-sided from the start, focusing on neighbours’ complaints without thinking of the affected workers.
Jarvis says there was no consultation with sex workers before the moratorium was put into place, and there has never been evidence that a total ban would address safety and exploitation concerns.