The return of the Montreal Formula 1 Grand Prix (June 17-19) heralds the launch of a new shock awareness campaign. This time, the campaign is aimed at sex tourists and other clients of prostitution. With this campaign, the Concertation des luttes contre l’exploitation sexuelle (CLES) wants to let prostitution clients know that “paying for sex is illegal in Canada.”
Jennie-Laure Sully, Community Organizer at CLES reminds us that there are still too few people aware of the criminal nature of purchasing sexual services. Yet the law was passed in 2014. The fact that there are few client operations in Montreal and that buyers of sexual services do so with impunity fuels the city’s reputation as a “paradise for buying sex,” emphasizes the community.
While parties and prostitution are associated with F1 events, we must not forget the phenomenon of human trafficking. A problem that particularly affects young girls at these types of sporting events.
In parallel to this poster campaign on digital bus shelters and social networks targeting clients, CLÉS joins the members of the committee “Un trop grand prix” which brings together Y des femmes de Montréal, Prévention jeunesse Longueuil and Prévention jeunesse Laval (Zéro Exploitation). The goal is to remove the guilt from sexually exploited women and girls and to let them know that they have the right to get away with it and that they are not criminalized, but rather victims of the sex industry.
A virtual panel discussion about the film “Noémie dit Oui” is planned for Thursday, June 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will be moderated by Independent Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne and will be attended by the director Geneviève Albert. Registration is required here. To learn more about the campaign, visit the Facebook page.
