By Valencia Grant
‘Jane school’ educates sex-trade workers
Some prostitutes were busted trying to trade sex for money. Now, they’ve decided to trade in their criminal charge for a three-day Sex Trade Worker Education Program (STEP).
STEP is a pre-charge program for sex trade workers. They are given the choice to be diverted out of the legal system by taking a series of workshops. The Prostitution Networking Group, an organization consisting of police, health and social agencies and community representatives, helped develop STEP or “Jane school” in April, and its predecessor, the “John school,” in May 1997. It was formed in 1995 in response to complaints from Ottawa residents, including those in Centretown, about the effects of street-level prostitution.
Gloria Savage, who runs STEP at the Salvation Army court office, says a former prostitute talks about how she got out of the sex trade. They also watch “Butterfly Collectors,” a film about three women who were lured into prostitution.
Workshops are held about every three months on preventing and dealing with HIV and AIDS, sexual assault, abusive relationships and addictions. They are also taught how to work towards financial stability. A representative from the health unit and the police also talk to them.
David Pepper, the director of community development with the Ottawa Police Service, says police officers provide insight on the legal ramifications of prostitution. The police talk about their experiences in dealing with sex trade workers on the streets and discuss safety issues.
Pepper says, because of the complexities involved in prostitution, a three-day workshop would not stamp out the practice. But he expresses confidence that it’s a step in the right direction in providing a “building block” to help sex trade workers move off the streets.
Manon Morin, manager of the sexual health program at the health unit, discusses its role. “We inform the individuals about STD issues. We discuss pregnancy issues and safety issues. We don’t distribute contraceptives unless individuals then come to one of our clinics. So part of what we’re doing is promoting the clinical services as well.”
Savage says none of the STEP participants has been in trouble with the law since undergoing the program. She says this speaks for its effectiveness. She adds the sex trade workers must attend every workshop in order to avoid the legal system.
“They can go the court route if they want but I think STEP saves the court system money. It deals with the issues that the women need to have dealt with, and it gives them resources to assist them in staying off the streets.”
Maria Neil, the president of the Ottawa-Carleton Council of Women, feels the three-day series of workshops are “certainly better than nothing.” But she questions the social benefits of John school, which diverts men caught for the first time soliciting sex to an education program rather than charge them.
“What good does the John school do? It’s the men that get the attention then get off scot-free, apart from having to go to a few lectures.”
Neil says follow-up education is needed to empower those enrolled in STEP. “What we really need is ways for women to learn different skills.”