ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Sex worker rights advocate Heather Jarvis said she’s “incredibly relieved” that St. John’s city council voted unanimously Monday afternoon to lift the moratorium on adult massage parlours.
The moratorium was put in place in 2015.
“It has been over five years of advocating against this moratorium that was put in place with no consultation of people in the sex trade,” said Jarvis.
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She said the moratorium pushed sex workers underground into isolation, making them more vulnerable to exploitation and violence.
“Evidence shows, and our experience shows, that these kinds of prohibitive actions don’t actually address the real violence in the sex trade. Meaningful engagement with sex-working communities can. So, we’re incredibly relieved that city council took to heart the evidence and research we presented, our advocacy, the voices of, most importantly, current massage parlour workers, and made this decision toward harm reduction and human rights.”
The moratorium that was in place meant no new adult massage parlours were allowed to open, but those already in existence were permitted to continue operations. All current adult massage parlours in St. John’s are owned by the same person.
Adult massage parlours are not prohibited by law in Canada.
"We’re incredibly relieved that city council took to heart the evidence and research we presented... and made this decision toward harm reduction and human rights.” — Heather Jarvis
Council’s decision means new adult massage parlours can open in five commercial zones — commercial highway, commercial regional, commercial mixed use, commercial central mixed use and commercial Kenmount.
Following a public meeting on the matter on Nov. 6, the city conducted a survey on proposed names for the establishments, but there was no consensus.
Previously they were called massage parlours.
City staff recommended using the term adult massage parlour to distinguish the establishments from services offered by registered massage therapists, as well as to emphasize that the services are for adults only. Council voted on Monday to approve the new term.
Prior to the council vote on Monday, many individuals and groups in the city voiced their opinions on the matter — 168 pages of letters to the city accompanied city council’s agenda.
The letters came from a wide range of people, from registered massage therapists, former and current sex workers, the city’s only current massage parlour owner, and several community organizations with varying and sometimes opposing perspectives.
During council’s discussion, it was noted that the city does not have jurisdiction over worker safety — that falls under the province.
To that end, city council members have met with the province and other groups about regulating the industry.
“I think it should have regulations on it similar to other commercial establishments, like restaurants and bars all have to operate under different regulations,” said Breen.
“I think this is one that the government should enact regulations on.”
Jarvis said her organization is also lobbying the provincial government on industry regulations.
“We are continuing to advocate with the provincial government for regulations for indoor sex work across our province that are evidence-based, founded on human rights, harm-reduction, safety and ongoing meaningful engagement with sex-working communities. And we’re deeply committed to that process.
“So, those are going to be our next steps. Even within the last week alone we reached out to (Health) Minister (John) Haggie about how sex workers are faring under COVID-19. So, that’s very much going to continue to be our commitment.”
Twitter: @juanitamercer_
