We evaluate the Canadian parliamentary hearings on The Protection of Communities and Exploited Pe... more We evaluate the Canadian parliamentary hearings on The Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act to determine whether respectful and fair deliberation occurred. Our focus is on the content, tone, and nature of each question posed by committee members in hearings in both chambers. We find that, on the whole, the vast majority of questions met this baseline but that committee members were biased toward witnesses in agreement with their position and against witnesses in opposition to it. In addition to our substantive findings, we contribute methodological insights, including a coding scheme, for this kind of qualitative text analysis.
Background Under current laws, sex workers are effectively criminalized, which can lead to harmfu... more Background Under current laws, sex workers are effectively criminalized, which can lead to harmful impacts beyond arrest and prosecution for sex work-specific offenses, including eviction, search and seizure, surveillance, harassment, and deportation. Although these laws are federal, they are realized in and by policy communities at the municipal level. Materials and Methods Based on a qualitative and inductive study of local policy actors affected by or involved in the implementation of prostitution laws, including 65 semistructured interviews in 2014, 2015, and 2016, we identify five different governance models within a shared legal framework of criminalization. We derive these models from an exploration of interactions among actors and organizations based in selected Canadian cities, all of which are bound by federal laws that criminalize the buying of sex thus effectively criminalizing prostitution. Results Our study surfaces a diversity of traditional and non-traditional policy players who interpret and implement prostitution laws or advocate for and support sex workers. Focusing on equilibrium moments in relationships among these actors, we identify ideational frames that appear to shape dynamics among them and, in turn, give rise to different governance models. Conclusions Our findings of different models within the same, overarching legal context are notable because it demonstrates the variability of a single law when it is implemented in local contexts. This is a contribution not just to understanding how prostitution is governed in particular contexts but also to policy and governance theory more generally. Our findings can serve in future, deductive studies that seek to determine the causes and implications of different governance models in the policy area of prostitution and beyond.
This paper is thus organized in four substantive sections: Transcript Text Analysis, Interpretive... more This paper is thus organized in four substantive sections: Transcript Text Analysis, Interpretive Analysis of the Hearing Process, Presentation and Analysis of Qualitative Survey Results, and Kerry’s Personal Reflections. Briefly, our analysis reveals significant levels of partisanship during the hearings, especially on the part of Conservative Party committee members, and the use of ideology rather than evidence by witnesses supporting the bill. Our analysis also reveals that witnesses against the bill felt disrespected and marginalized during the hearings, and our qualitative and quantitative evidence confirms their experiences. We conclude the paper with recommendations for the sex worker rights community’s next steps toward law reform in Canada.
We evaluate the Canadian parliamentary hearings on The Protection of Communities and Exploited Pe... more We evaluate the Canadian parliamentary hearings on The Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act to determine whether respectful and fair deliberation occurred. Our focus is on the content, tone, and nature of each question posed by committee members in hearings in both chambers. We find that, on the whole, the vast majority of questions met this baseline but that committee members were biased toward witnesses in agreement with their position and against witnesses in opposition to it. In addition to our substantive findings, we contribute methodological insights, including a coding scheme, for this kind of qualitative text analysis.
Please note: Our statement at the bottom of pg 9 is over broad and should read: "Little research ... more Please note: Our statement at the bottom of pg 9 is over broad and should read: "Little research has been done regarding the impact of prostitution laws on MSW, particularly in the context of the criminalization of HIV transmission, which requires disclosure of HIV positive status in sexual encounters where there is a realistic probability of transmission." See: http://www.aidslaw.ca/site/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/CriminalInfo2014_ENG.pdf
Abstract: Recent changes to Canada’s laws governing sex work criminalize individuals who are involved in the sex industry, with broad implications for sex workers in Vancouver and beyond. The current legal landscape and pervasive societal stigma against sex workers continue to present a multitude of challenges and barriers for self-identified (trans*2 inclusive) men in sex work (MSW) accessing critical health care and necessary supports within community. In addition, there is a general lack of awareness and understanding about the realities of MSW involved in the sex industry in Vancouver. Because MSW are often not acknowledged in debates over sex work, their voices have not been included in the discussion of laws and policies that affect them. Societal misconceptions regarding MSW cause many of them to experience increased risks to their overall health and safety.
A short graphic novel on the harms of criminalizing sex work! This illustrated piece piece is bas... more A short graphic novel on the harms of criminalizing sex work! This illustrated piece piece is based on a forthcoming paper, Genevieve Fuji Johnson and Kerry Porth, “Sex Worker Rights are Human Rights: An Approach to Solidaristic Normative Theory,” International Journal of Feminist Politics Check it out!
We evaluate the Canadian parliamentary hearings on The Protection of Communities and Exploited Pe... more We evaluate the Canadian parliamentary hearings on The Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act to determine whether respectful and fair deliberation occurred. Our focus is on the content, tone, and nature of each question posed by committee members in hearings in both chambers. We find that, on the whole, the vast majority of questions met this baseline but that committee members were biased toward witnesses in agreement with their position and against witnesses in opposition to it. In addition to our substantive findings, we contribute methodological insights, including a coding scheme, for this kind of qualitative text analysis.
Background Under current laws, sex workers are effectively criminalized, which can lead to harmfu... more Background Under current laws, sex workers are effectively criminalized, which can lead to harmful impacts beyond arrest and prosecution for sex work-specific offenses, including eviction, search and seizure, surveillance, harassment, and deportation. Although these laws are federal, they are realized in and by policy communities at the municipal level. Materials and Methods Based on a qualitative and inductive study of local policy actors affected by or involved in the implementation of prostitution laws, including 65 semistructured interviews in 2014, 2015, and 2016, we identify five different governance models within a shared legal framework of criminalization. We derive these models from an exploration of interactions among actors and organizations based in selected Canadian cities, all of which are bound by federal laws that criminalize the buying of sex thus effectively criminalizing prostitution. Results Our study surfaces a diversity of traditional and non-traditional policy players who interpret and implement prostitution laws or advocate for and support sex workers. Focusing on equilibrium moments in relationships among these actors, we identify ideational frames that appear to shape dynamics among them and, in turn, give rise to different governance models. Conclusions Our findings of different models within the same, overarching legal context are notable because it demonstrates the variability of a single law when it is implemented in local contexts. This is a contribution not just to understanding how prostitution is governed in particular contexts but also to policy and governance theory more generally. Our findings can serve in future, deductive studies that seek to determine the causes and implications of different governance models in the policy area of prostitution and beyond.
This paper is thus organized in four substantive sections: Transcript Text Analysis, Interpretive... more This paper is thus organized in four substantive sections: Transcript Text Analysis, Interpretive Analysis of the Hearing Process, Presentation and Analysis of Qualitative Survey Results, and Kerry’s Personal Reflections. Briefly, our analysis reveals significant levels of partisanship during the hearings, especially on the part of Conservative Party committee members, and the use of ideology rather than evidence by witnesses supporting the bill. Our analysis also reveals that witnesses against the bill felt disrespected and marginalized during the hearings, and our qualitative and quantitative evidence confirms their experiences. We conclude the paper with recommendations for the sex worker rights community’s next steps toward law reform in Canada.
We evaluate the Canadian parliamentary hearings on The Protection of Communities and Exploited Pe... more We evaluate the Canadian parliamentary hearings on The Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act to determine whether respectful and fair deliberation occurred. Our focus is on the content, tone, and nature of each question posed by committee members in hearings in both chambers. We find that, on the whole, the vast majority of questions met this baseline but that committee members were biased toward witnesses in agreement with their position and against witnesses in opposition to it. In addition to our substantive findings, we contribute methodological insights, including a coding scheme, for this kind of qualitative text analysis.
Please note: Our statement at the bottom of pg 9 is over broad and should read: "Little research ... more Please note: Our statement at the bottom of pg 9 is over broad and should read: "Little research has been done regarding the impact of prostitution laws on MSW, particularly in the context of the criminalization of HIV transmission, which requires disclosure of HIV positive status in sexual encounters where there is a realistic probability of transmission." See: http://www.aidslaw.ca/site/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/CriminalInfo2014_ENG.pdf
Abstract: Recent changes to Canada’s laws governing sex work criminalize individuals who are involved in the sex industry, with broad implications for sex workers in Vancouver and beyond. The current legal landscape and pervasive societal stigma against sex workers continue to present a multitude of challenges and barriers for self-identified (trans*2 inclusive) men in sex work (MSW) accessing critical health care and necessary supports within community. In addition, there is a general lack of awareness and understanding about the realities of MSW involved in the sex industry in Vancouver. Because MSW are often not acknowledged in debates over sex work, their voices have not been included in the discussion of laws and policies that affect them. Societal misconceptions regarding MSW cause many of them to experience increased risks to their overall health and safety.
A short graphic novel on the harms of criminalizing sex work! This illustrated piece piece is bas... more A short graphic novel on the harms of criminalizing sex work! This illustrated piece piece is based on a forthcoming paper, Genevieve Fuji Johnson and Kerry Porth, “Sex Worker Rights are Human Rights: An Approach to Solidaristic Normative Theory,” International Journal of Feminist Politics Check it out!
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Papers by Kerry Porth
Abstract: Recent changes to Canada’s laws governing sex work criminalize
individuals who are involved in the sex industry, with broad implications
for sex workers in Vancouver and beyond. The current legal landscape
and pervasive societal stigma against sex workers continue to present
a multitude of challenges and barriers for self-identified (trans*2
inclusive) men in sex work (MSW) accessing critical health care and
necessary supports within community.
In addition, there is a general lack of awareness and understanding
about the realities of MSW involved in the sex industry in Vancouver.
Because MSW are often not acknowledged in debates over sex work,
their voices have not been included in the discussion of laws and
policies that affect them. Societal misconceptions regarding MSW
cause many of them to experience increased risks to their overall
health and safety.
Teaching Documents by Kerry Porth
Abstract: Recent changes to Canada’s laws governing sex work criminalize
individuals who are involved in the sex industry, with broad implications
for sex workers in Vancouver and beyond. The current legal landscape
and pervasive societal stigma against sex workers continue to present
a multitude of challenges and barriers for self-identified (trans*2
inclusive) men in sex work (MSW) accessing critical health care and
necessary supports within community.
In addition, there is a general lack of awareness and understanding
about the realities of MSW involved in the sex industry in Vancouver.
Because MSW are often not acknowledged in debates over sex work,
their voices have not been included in the discussion of laws and
policies that affect them. Societal misconceptions regarding MSW
cause many of them to experience increased risks to their overall
health and safety.