The Regina Police Service (RPS) has released a report on the Vice Unit’s efficiency since Bill C-36 was passed in January 2015, ahead of the Board of Police Commissioners meeting on Wednesday.
Bill C-36 addresses the Supreme Court’s concerns with the dangers and risks of prostitution. The bill states individuals can not be prosecuted for selling sexual services from a “fixed indoor location”, and that hired security for individuals selling sexual services cannot be prosecuted either, unless either person is operating under exploitative circumstances.
The bill criminalizes communicating in a public place for the purpose of selling sexual services.
Since the bill passed, the Vice Unit has turned its focus to targeting those who purchase sexual services, “Johns”, rather than those who sell them.
The Vice Unit is made up of one sergeant, two constable investigators and two provincially funded child exploitation investigators.
“I think it comes down to holding the Johns accountable and to be able to lay charges there,” Regina Police Chief Evan Bray said.
“With the change in legislation really, I think has shown a change in focus,” Bray said.
In 2015, the Vice Unit charged 21 Johns with Purchasing Sexual Services. In 2016, they charged 19 Johns. To date this year, the Vice Unit has charged 11 Johns. RPS is attributing the low number in 2017 to a low number of resources, scheduling and other ongoing investigations.
The report shows dropping numbers of prostitution charges. In 2015, there were nine prostitutes charged with Communicating for the Purpose of Selling Sexual Acts. That number dropped to 1 last year and there have been no charges yet in 2017.
The report also identified 471 escorts over the past three years. The lead investigator in the Vice Unit, Sgt. Darcy McDonald said two-thirds of the escort are from out of province. The remaining sex workers are from the area.
Of that number, the report identified three of the workers as being under-aged girls. The girls were 14, 15, and 16 years old.
Board of Police Commissioners member and city councillor Barbara Young requested the report, posing a question to RPS about how recent legislative changes to prostitution law affected the police service.
She said the report highlights the need for more resources and services for young girls to escape the trade.
“What do we need in this province to be able to help young women leave the sex trade if they choose but especially under-age exploitation,” Young said.
Young said she wants to see a specialized strategy tackle the issue and provide a safer space for young women.
“I would expect the province needs to step forward and make that happen. I don’t think it’s up to a city by itself to do this,” she said.
In addition to having provincial support and resources, Chief Bray called for local communities to band with the Regina police and take a leadership role in the fight against human trafficking and exploitation.
“We can also work with local community groups, service providers. There are organizations in Regina that target their efforts to helping gals that are working on the street. Trying to make sure they’ve got a safe place. They’ve got a safe plan if they find themselves in a bad situation so we need to be able to work with them as well,” Bray said.
The report states that “the City of Regina does not want the sex trade business conducted in its jurisdiction.”