rll ch 5 - The Changing Construction of Sex Trade Clients in Canada — Ummni Khan

CR 2

Main argument of the chapter

Sex trade clients were historically viewed as ordinary men satisfying natural sexual desires. However, over time, social attitudes shifted, and clients increasingly became characterized as sexually deviant, dangerous, exploitative, and criminal.

examination

how Canadian society has viewed men who purchase sexual services over the past 150 years.

The "Necessary Evil" – Sex work serves a social purpose

Historical period: Victorian era

• Men were generally understood to have naturally strong sexual desires that could not always be satisfied within marriage.

• Purchasing sexual services was considered a natural outlet for male sexuality.

Important concept: Hydraulic theory of male sexuality

The belief that men have an excess of sexual desire that needs to be released, almost like pressure building up in a container.

The "Inevitable Evil" – Sex work cannot be eliminated

Historical period: Late 1800s and early 1900s

• Society increasingly viewed prostitution as undesirable but impossible to completely eliminate.

• Rather than eliminating prostitution, governments focused on regulating it to minimize perceived social problems.

Important example: Contagious Diseases Act (1865)

• Allowed authorities to forcibly hospitalize sex workers suspected of having sexually transmitted infections for up to three months.

• There was no comparable regulation for male clients suspected of having STIs.

The "Social Evil" – Sex work should be eradicated

Historical period: Around Confederation and the late 1800s onward

• Social purity reformers believed prostitution was immoral and needed to be eliminated entirely.

• Sex workers increasingly became portrayed as victims of exploitation, poverty, trafficking, and abusive men.

• The concept of white slavery became prominent.

white slavery

A historical term used to describe the supposed kidnapping and forced sexual exploitation of white women, often by racialized men.

• These narratives frequently portrayed women as innocent victims and men as dangerous perpetrators.

• However, clients were still often overlooked in discussions about prostitution.

Important example: National Council of Women of Canada (1913)

The organization argued that prostitution should not be treated exclusively as a women's issue and that men should carry a greater share of the responsibility.

Key takeaway: This perspective introduced the idea that men purchasing sexual services contributed to the social problem of prostitution, although the focus remained largely on trafficking and exploitation.

The client becomes an object of academic research

Historical period: Mid-1900s onward

Khan explains that researchers increasingly began studying male clients as a distinct social and psychological category.

Kinsey et al. (1948)

Found that 69% of surveyed males had experienced purchasing sexual services at least once. This demonstrated that the behaviour was relatively widespread.

Albert Ellis (1959)

Examined why married men visited sex workers. Suggested explanations included sexual dissatisfaction, circumstances, desire for variety, and enjoyment of illicit behaviour.

Gibbens and Silberman (1960)

Studied married and unmarried clients and characterized many as neurotic, associating purchasing sex with other supposedly abnormal sexual behaviours.

Three modern approaches to studying sex trade clients

A. Epidemiological approach

B. Sociological approach

C. Prohibitionist approach

Epidemiological approach

Focuses on disease prevention and sexual health.

• Examines the relationship between sex work, clients, and sexually transmitted infections.

• Historically, sex workers were disproportionately blamed for spreading disease.

• More recent research also considers clients' sexual health practices and safer-sex behaviours.

• Some research challenges the stereotype that all clients engage in unsafe sexual behaviour.

Sociological approach

Examines clients' characteristics, motivations, experiences, and social circumstances.

• Clients are not necessarily fundamentally different from men who do not purchase sexual services.

• There are many different motivations for purchasing sexual services.

• Some clients have disabilities and may experience barriers to sexual expression because of social stigma, ableism, or health challenges.

• Criminalizing clients can increase risks of violence for sex workers by making their working environments less safe.

Prohibitionist approach

Views purchasing sexual services as inherently harmful and clients as criminals who contribute to violence against women.

• Assumes sex work is inherently exploitative.

• Often portrays sex workers as victims and clients as perpetrators.

• Supports criminalizing the purchase of sexual services.

The Swedish Model and its influence on Canada

An approach to prostitution law that criminalizes purchasing sexual services while technically not criminalizing the sale of sexual services.

Khan argues that this approach reinforces a particular gendered stereotype:

• Sex worker = victimized woman.

• Client = deviant, exploitative man.

Canada's Bill C-36 (2014): Criminalizing clients

In 2014, Canada introduced the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (PCEPA), also known as Bill C-36.

• This legislation adopted important elements of the Swedish Model.

Section 286.1 of the Criminal Code criminalizes purchasing sexual services.

The legislation established:

• Clients could face fines or imprisonment.

• Purchasing sexual services became a criminal offence.

• The legislation was justified through the argument that prostitution contributes to exploitation and violence against women.

Formal punishment:

• Criminal charges.

• Financial penalties.

• Possible imprisonment.

informal punishment

• Public humiliation.

• Police warning or shaming letters.

• Release of suspected clients' names to the media.

• Potential embarrassment involving family members and employers.

John schools: Educating or stigmatizing clients?

court diversion programs designed for individuals arrested for purchasing sexual services.

Instead of going through a trial and potentially receiving a criminal conviction, participants can attend an educational program, usually for a fee.

• John schools first appeared in Canada during the mid-1990s.

• Participants typically paid between $500 and $1,000.

• The programs were intended to educate clients about the consequences of prostitution.

Khan's criticism of john schools:

• They portray clients as harmful to women, communities, families, and society.

• They frequently rely on emotional stories and anecdotal evidence.

• They reinforce the idea that purchasing sexual services is psychologically abnormal.

• They shame and stigmatize participants rather than simply educating them.

• They disproportionately affect racialized and working-class clients.

The consequences of criminalizing and stigmatizing clients

1. increased risks of violence

2. reduced ability to earn a living

3. increased social stigma

4. unequal enforcement

5. reduced dignity and rights

Sex workers challenge negative stereotypes about clients

ex workers themselves are challenging the negative construction of their clients.

April Adams (2015) argues that

• Some married men purchase sexual services because their sexual needs differ from those of their partners.

• Sex workers can provide services that allow individuals to fulfill sexual needs without necessarily undermining their marriages.