prostitution in canada

Prostitution Offender Program a.k.a. "John School"

Since the mid 1990's with over 14 locations across Canada, the government has been offering a prostitution offender program, (adopted by the San Francisco concept and run out of the Salvation Army), known primarily as "John School". John School is a first-offender diversion program that targets the male customers of (mostly) female sex workers, arrested with the offense "Communicating for the purposes of prostitution" (negotiating sex for money). Once arrested and in court to face the charges, the men, (if arrested with this offense the first time), is offered the option of attending a one day Prostitution Offender Program for a cost of $400 - $500, to avoid a record.

The one day course includes a series of presentations aimed at emphasizing the prostitute's role in the sex trade as well as the implications for the participant (sexually transmitted infections, social repercussions, physical danger). The John School is premised upon seven objectives as follows:

1. to ensure participants take responsibility;
2. educate participants about prostitution law in Canada;
3. increase participants awareness of the victims of street prostitution;
4. increase awareness of dangers of prostitution;
5. increase awareness among participants that they may have a problem with their own sexual behavior;
6. attempt to change participants attitudes toward prostitution; and,
7. deter participants from engaging in prostitution

Once the course is completed the original charge is dropped.

"Jane School"

With funds from the Prostitution Offender Program another court diversion program was set up for sex workers who are charged with the Communicating offense for the first time. Next Step or Choices (a.k.a Jane School) were set up across Canada and unlike the program for johns that only lasts 1 day, sex workers charged with the same offense must undergo a four week course that covers such topics as

Anger Management
Listening Skills
Responsible Choices
Self-Acceptance
Self-Empowerment
Nutrition
Yoga
Affirmations
Drawing our Personal Boundaries
Your Relationship to Money

This program is free as it receives it’s funding from the ‘John School’. Upon successful completion of the program, the charge is dropped and the sex worker does not receive a record.