Archived News Releases

May 25, 2006

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Street Prostitution Action Plan Targets Johns for Sanctions, Victims and Communities for Supports

An expanded two-part strategy will tighten sanctions against johns and provide more help for neighbourhoods and those exploited by the sex trade, Attorney General Gord Mackintosh and Family Services and Housing Minister Christine Melnick announced today.

“This strategy offers a balanced approach to address sexual exploitation through street prostitution,” Mackintosh said. “One component is a clear deterrent message to johns and pimps who may engage in solicitation on our streets.”

“Prevention, education and public awareness are important tools that don't simply treat the symptoms of sexual exploitation, but address the root of the problem,” said Melnick. “This action plan also includes new resources for victims and help for communities.”

The action plan comprises:

1. TARGET: JOHNS AND PIMPS

On top of 46 new police positions plus $2.1 million to make Operation Clean Sweep a permanent unit, as well as unprecedented new police resources outside of Winnipeg, this component includes the following:

• New driver licence suspensions for johns convicted of prostitution-related offences with a vehicle to be one year for a first conviction, two years for subsequent convictions within 10 years.
• Manitoba's community prosecutor to take local cases against johns and pimps in the downtown and west end to get effective deterrent sentences, and a new prosecution policy to help ensure that community-service work, stay-away orders and john school are part of a sentence.
• Reality Check, an information campaign to be targeted at educating johns on the harm of the sex trade, supported by the Winnipeg Police Service, Salvation Army and Sage House.
• Strengthening the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act to allow closure of prostitution bases of operation, even where no prostitution is taking place on the premises.
• A new team of investigators under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act dedicated to investigations involving drugs and prostitution in the most problematic areas of Winnipeg, beginning this fall. Fifty-six prostitution-specific operations alone have already been shut down.
• A recent john school fee increase, to $600 from $500, to help fund prostitution diversion camp, where information and support help women exit the sex trade.

2. VICTIM AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Building on the Manitoba Strategy on Sexually Exploited Youth of 2002, this part of the strategy adds:

• Neighbourhood Solutions, a new resource book to help communities address the sex trade on a local basis.
• Tipi Teachings, the Ndawiin Community Council's prevention curriculum delivered in Winnipeg schools, funded with $99,700.
• The North End Safer School Corridor Project, recently funded with $82,500 to allow Mount Carmel Clinic to provide safe passage for children attending seven schools in Winnipeg's north end and provide health services, counselling and meals to help women leaving the sex trade.
• $25,000 in new funding to Transition, Education and Resource for Females (TERF) to support adult females exiting the sex trade.
• More support for Dream Catchers, a program administered by Klinic Community Health Centre that helps women leave the sex trade, enhanced recently with an additional $45,000 in core funding provided by Manitoba Healthy Living.
• Understanding and Caring for Sexually Exploited Youth, a six-day training program that has trained 80 front-line community workers to date.

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