Consider the source: The Centre To End All Sexual Exploitation. This is not an organization like PACE; by sexworkers for sexworkers. It is an organization that gets funded to paint the grimmest possible picture of sexwork, sexworkers, and their clients. They are funded by the Sisters of St Joseph, the Stollery Foundation, The United Way & the Alberta Govt. Its predecessor organization started Edmonton's first "john school", which they continue to operate. Their funding depends on statistics like the one you quoted; her job depends on the viewpoint that all prostitution is exploitation, all sexworkers are helpless victims, & participation in this activity is shameful, harmful, criminal & dangerous. Their website even offers you the chance to VOLUNTEER for their john school at a discounted rate from the $500 they'll charge anyone who's ordered there by the court. Statistics are easy to skew if you pick your sample carefully enough.
THIS!.......
I have helped underage girls off the street, without taking advantage of them or their situation.
Bought them something to eat, talked to them about their bruises, and driven them home to their parents....and even knocked on the freaking door myself, to get the reaction, and lay of the land I'm walking her into.
I'm not trying to fix something, just helping someone in need, that's willing to take it.....Very rarely do my spider senses ring when in the company of a professional. I find that the young ladies here, and out there.... are not the type to become a statistic ,even when life throws a shovel full of shit at them.
I'm also very sure ....many others here ,have done the same ,or would given the chance to end exploitation of anyone.
I also believe that as a group of like minded people,....for the most part.....it's not in our nature, and goes against the very fabric that ties some of us together, in a strange sort of way.
I believe it was you Miss Erica that coined the phrase that still rings clearly in my memory..... "Mamma never raised no victim"