Sex worker forcibly confined at gunpoint, say Burnaby RCMP Advocates for sex workers are calling it a disturbing case. “I can’t imagine what that person is going through,” said Crystal Laderas, communications manager with non-profit SWAN Vancouver. “Everybody should be able to do their job and not face this kind of violence, no matter what kind of work that they do.” Laderas said it’s something that happens all too often, and her organization is working on an abuser alert to warn others about the case. She added victims often don’t report these cases, because they’re in vulnerable situations. Some are migrants who fear being deported if they call officers. Laderas said police should contact advocacy organizations directly if their goal is to warn sex workers about potential danger. “Unfortunately, the first time that we heard about this incident is through media reports,” she said. Cecilia Benoit, a professor of sociology at the University of Victoria, said existing laws are creating barriers for sex workers to get help. The Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act was established in 2014. It criminalizes the purchase of sexual services but grants immunity to people selling those services. “It does not condemn sex workers, and they’re allowed to to practise their work [but] the clients are criminalized, as well as other aspects around sex work,” said Benoit. “The law itself creates barriers for sex workers’ safety and for them to reach out when they’re in trouble.” She also noted sex workers are dependent on police for their safety, but officers are also tasked with enforcing the law. “It’s a contradiction,” she said. Benoit said there have been cuts in community support for sex workers in the region. As an example, she pointed to the City of Vancouver’s removal of one of its two sex worker safety planner positions in April. “So the possibilities for sex workers to be able to support each other and also to get services apart directly from the police have been curtailed or reduced,” said Benoit. “That leaves them in a very difficult situation when they are confronted with people wanting to try to rob them or to hurt them.” Read more: cbc.ca/news/canada/british-c…