Toronto forum tackles human trafficking around Olympics

BURLINGTON , ON, Jan. 12 /CNW/ - A campaign aimed at raising awareness to effect change around the demand for paid sex during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games is coming to Toronto . The special forum will address how the male demand for paid sex fuels human trafficking, especially surrounding large international athletic events.

"Buying Sex Is Not A Sport," an anti-trafficking campaign that originated in British Columbia, will host panel discussions on two separate evenings: on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 8:00 pm at Walmer Road Baptist Church (188 Lowther Avenue, Toronto ) and on Monday, February 1, 2010 , at 8:00 p.m. at the University of Toronto , Health Sciences Building (155 College Street, 6th Floor, Room 610).

The panel will include Janine Benedet (UBC Faculty of Law), Trisha Baptie (a former prostitute and founder of EVE - Experiential Voices Educating) and Michelle Miller (REED - Resist Exploitation, Embrace Dignity). All of the speakers are abolitionists who want genuine safety for women, not the legalization of prostitution.

The demand for sexual access to women and children fuels human trafficking. Women and children in Canada are routinely coerced into the flesh trade to meet this demand, and a large sporting event such as the 2010 Games will increase the market for paid sex.

"Buying Sex Is Not A Sport" identifies prostitution as violence against women and calls on the Parliament of Canada to follow Sweden's example and decriminalize the selling of sex and criminalize the buying of sex. "Buying Sex Is Not A Sport" is partnering with Listen Up TV to bring the forum to Toronto .

For further information: Shae Invidiata, Phone: [phone], Web site: http://www.embracedignity.org/, http://www.listenuptv.com, Email: [email protected]