Beyond Decriminalization: Sex-work, Human Rights and a New ...

BEYOND DECRIMINALIZATION: Sex Work, Human Rights and a New Framework for Law Reformness within the Downtown District. For more information about Live-Work spaces, see the section on“Working from Home” below.Under the By-law, Health Enhancement Centres may be established in Multiple Dwelling,Commercial, Industrial and Historic Area zoning districts. 121 Health Enhancement Centres are categorizedas an “office use.” Like Social Escort Services, Health Enhancement Centres may not operatefrom a General Office Live-Work space in the Downtown District. 122Dating Services are not restricted to any particular zoning district under the By-Law. The termDating Service does not fall under any of the “use” headings described above. However, as with SocialEscort Services and Health Enhancement Centres, a Dating Service may not operate from a GeneralOffice Live-Work Space in the Downtown District. 123There are no zoning regulations regarding steam baths.Sex workers views on zoningSex workers were divided as to whether there should be any restrictions on where they may establishtheir business or carry out their work. Some sex workers were opposed to zoning laws that place limitationson independent workers:A. The only way I can think of is basically leave us the hell alone. You know, get out ofthe licensing business, allow us to advertise, allow us to work out of our home safely,you know.- female off-street out-call sex workerSome sex workers were expressed concern about limiting where street workers can operate:A. I think you can’t zone, you can’t tell people that they can’t stand on a freaking streetcorner.- female street-level sex workerOther sex workers, like the one quoted below, felt that creating zones for prostitution would drive sexworkers further underground, presumably because some sex workers may not be able to, or willing to,operate under the rules set out by the city:A. Well, that’s the thing, though, you see. Once you start zoning and say “you can onlyoperate in this area”, what happens is then . . . like you’ve really labelled people and,I don’t know, I think you’ll drive it further underground.- female off-street out-call sex workerSome sex workers felt that sex industry businesses should not be subject to any new zoning by-lawstargeting prostitution, and should be integrated into the existing zoning scheme in Vancouver:A. I’m opposed to zoning for prostitutes. I don’t think we should zone for prostitutes.Again its one of those things that if you can make it apply to another business let itapply to [sex work] as to another business.- female off-street out-call sex workerAgainst these views, some sex workers suggested that the City should create new prostitution zones:A. Well there needs to be like an acknowledged little party plaza. Say. Y’know, like anadult party plaza and then another kind, right? Where you got your nightclubs.- female street-level sex worker121 See the District Schedules for these zones.122 Supra note 115 in the Definitions section.123 Supra note 115 in the Definitions section.69