Canadian Judge Strikes Down Ban on ‘Bawdy Houses’
A Canadian court has struck down a law that bans “bawdy houses,” saying it endangers prostitutes by forcing them to work on the streets.
A Toronto judge ruled in a constitutional challenge by two prostitutes and a dominatrix who ran a “Bondage Bungalow,” the New York Times reports. Prostitution is legal in the country, but “federal criminal law bans almost every activity that makes it possible,” the Times says.
The law at issue barred bawdy houses, communicating for the purposes of prostitution, and living on “the avails of the trade.” The court said the law violates rights to freedom of expression and security of the person, the Toronto Star reports.
According to the Toronto Star, if the decision stands, “prostitutes will be able to communicate freely with customers on the street, conduct business in their homes or brothels, and hire bodyguards and accountants without exposing them to the risk of criminal sanctions.”
One of the prostitutes who challenged the law, Valerie Scott, told the Star that citizens shouldn’t worry about a brothel opening up next door. “There is no reason to be afraid. Lightning bolts won’t hit the sidewalk,” she said. “There won’t be frogs all over.”
