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Prostitution Offender Program
of BC (POPBC)
What & Why
POPBC is a community supported,
self-funding educational program that provides an alternative within the
criminal justice system for men who are arrested under section 213 of
the Criminal Code of Canada (Communications for the purposes of
Prostitution). The program was created in answer to a growing demand
from a variety of community agencies, citizens and police to create a
tool to help address the far-reaching negative effects of street
prostitution.
It is a once only opportunity for
those who are accepted into the program. To be directly referred by
police at the time of arrest the client must:
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Have no related criminal record
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Present well during the arrest
(i.e. cooperative non-threatening behaviour)
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Have no paraphernalia in his
vehicle or on his person that might indicate mal intent
If the above criteria are met then the
arresting officer may offer POPBC as an alternative.
If the client chooses POPBC he must
take full responsibility for the arrest to be eligible for the program.
Clients can successfully complete the program by attending an interview,
paying the administrative fee and attending an eight-hour school.
The
School
The following segments are presented
over an eight-hour day:
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Introduction: |
Program history and goals,
Rules for the day and Introduction of presenters |
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Health: |
A Street Nurse from the BC
Centre for Disease Control talks about STD’s and other health
issues encountered through participation in the sex trade and
how these issues impact; partners, spouses, children, newborns
and foetuses. |
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Legal: |
The legal ramifications of sex
trade involvement Sect. 213 (communication for the purpose of
prostitution) and 212 (4) (obtain sexual services of a person
under 18 years of age) are explained and court penalties are
described. There are also risks of violation to the john (theft
and robbery) and risks for johns to be charged with other crimes
such as assault, sexual assault or indecent act. |
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Pimp: |
The pimp is an entrepreneur, women are the raw
materials and their bodies are the product. How pimps work, how
they recruit and how they treat the women are discussed. The
average age of entry into the trade is less than 16 years of
age.
Clients are told that they are funding an
industry that thrives on the commercial sexual exploitation and
abuse of youth. |
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Disc: |
A Vice Unit Detective talks
about DISC and tells the clients what it means for them to be in
the database and what the consequences are for clients who
re-offend. DISC, a VPD initiative, is an internationally
recognized information management system that currently shares
sex trade related information with 40 other policing
jurisdictions throughout North America. |
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Costs: |
A participatory discussion on
the far-reaching costs of the sex trade: Financial, Physical,
Social and Personal. |
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Community: |
A community member who lives
(or works) in a neighbourhood that has been occupied by the sex
trade reveals the damage that is done to neighbourhoods,
families, residents and businesses because of the sex trade
presence. |
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Parent: |
A parent whose daughter was
recruited into the sex trade relates her experiences to the
clients. She concludes by stating that even though her daughter
has been out for eleven years she (the mother) does not believe
that her daughter will ever have a normal relationship with a
man in her lifetime. |
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Survivors: |
Sex trade survivors tell their
stories, stressing the impact that johns and pimps have had on
their lives. Feedback from the parents and former workers who
have participated indicates that presenting their stories in
this milieu provides a wonderful mechanism for personal healing. |
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Conclusion: |
The floor is opened for
discussion and feedback from the clients and any presenters who
are still in attendance. |
Research
POPBC is being validated through an
independent research project conducted by the University of BC,
Department of Psychology under the direction of Drs. Boris Gorzalka,
John Yuille and Alexis Kennedy and Carolin Klein, MA student. See
“Attitude change following a diversion program for men soliciting sex”,
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 2004, Volume 40, pages 41-60. More
publications are forthcoming.
Results
To date POPBC has processed 995
clients referred from nine jurisdictions throughout British Columbia and
has been endorsed by the BC Association of Chiefs of Police (BCACP).
Only five clients have re-offended (DISC). Results from UBC research
(see Research above) indicate that clients do undergo significant
changes in their attitudes about prostitution. As well, there is
qualitative evidence that clients are greatly affected by the program.
They receive information that they have not known or that they have
chosen to deny. They see the sex trade for what it really is. They gain
knowledge that leads to different future decisions.
Education
The goal is to educate the clients
about the realities of the sex trade. They are encouraged to take this
knowledge with them and to influence those around them. The sex trade is
not a viable place for men to satisfy their personal needs.
It is not a victimless activity.
Excess
Funds
Clients pay a fee of $500 to attend
the program. Excess funds are allocated for programs that assist women
in exiting the sex trade and for education and research. A portion of
funds will be sent back to the referring jurisdictions.
Contact Information
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Please do not hesitate to contact:
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Ian Mitchell - John Howard Society
Manager Community Diversion
Coordinator POPBC
T: 604.872.5651, # 305,
F: 604.872.8737
E: Send an e-mail
763 Kingsway, Vancouver BC V5V 3C2
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Detective Rod Bricker
Vancouver Police
Department
Vice unit, Coordinator POPBC
T: 604.717.2610,
F: 604.717.3232
E: Send an
e-mail
312 Main Street, Vancouver BC V6A 2T2 |
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Detectives Oscar Ramos/Raymond
PayetteVancouver Police Department
DISC Information Management System
T: 604.717.2678,
F: 604.717.3232
E: Send an e-mail
312 Main Street, Vancouver BC V6A 2T2 |
Shelley Cook -John Howard Society
Central Okanagan Contact
Executive Director
T: 250.763.1331, F: 250.763.1483
E: Send an e-mail
2-1441 St. Paul St., Kelowna BC V1Y 2E4 |
Referrals
accepted from all BC communities
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