WELCOME TO THE SLIPPERY SLOPE

Susan Davis is a prostitute and apparently an ambitious woman. When
not otherwise occupied, Davis serves as spokeswoman for a group
calling itself the West Coast Co-operative of Sex Industry Professionals.

The co-operative, in case you haven't heard, is hoping to convince
the federal government to allow legal brothels to open in Vancouver.
Having reckoned thousands of men will be pouring into the city during
the Olympics, Davis would like to see the brothels up and running by
2010 so as to cater to the tourist trade.

After all, the province's reputation as a good host is at stake and,
as the IOC likes to remind everyone, the world will be watching.

In delivering their pitch, the co-operative does touch on a few valid
points about providing a safer work environment for prostitutes. Some
of what they say even sounds almost reasonable, until you remember
they're discussing a brothel.

It also sounds rather familiar.

Several years ago, residents of Vancouver heard similar sounding
arguments concerning the establishment of a safe injection site for
IV drug users. A central plank in the campaign, both then and now, is
a notion commonly referred to as harm reduction.

Essentially, the core strategy of harm reduction suggests society
shift some of its attention and resources away from the battle and on
to the casualties. No sense clinging to antiquated and judgmental
notions like right and wrong; junkies and prostitutes will do as they
please, so the rest of us might as well provide support in an effort
to minimize the damage they do.

It is a convenient, self-serving argument which suggests that, in the
name of progress, society should change to accommodate the offender,
not the other way around.

Welcome, one and all, to the slippery slope.

Since we can't rid society of IV drug use and the social ills born of
it, we give addicts a safe place to get high. The jury is still very
much out on that one.

Now, since we can't rid society of prostitution and the misery
surrounding it, it's argued we should give prostitutes a safe place
to turn tricks. What's next?

In recently published articles, Davis even has the gall to suggest
this could be an opportunity for Canadians to shine in the eyes of the world.

"The Olympics presents an interesting political time," she said.
"With the world coming here, maybe we should show people that we can
rise above the old moral standpoint and do something really creative
to stabilize people's safety."

Needless to say, not everyone agrees.

In March 2003, Janice Raymond of the Coalition Against Trafficking in
Women International or CATW published an informative and
well-reasoned piece entitled 10 reasons for not legalizing
prostitution. While CATW favoured "the decriminalization of the women
in prostitution," they also expressly opposed legalized brothels.

In her piece, Dr. Raymond recognizes the
legalization/decriminalization of prostitution does nothing to
"stabilize people's safety" and all but lifts the lid on Pandora's
box where the sex trade is concerned.

As for the notion legalizing brothels would somehow "show people we
can rise above the old moral standpoint," methinks the sense of
direction on Ms. Davis' moral compass is somewhat askew.