COARSE

The Prostitution Awareness and Action Foundation of Edmonton received funding to develop a court diversion program for individuals who are currently or have previous involvement in the commercial sex trade. This applies to s.213 of the Criminal Code of Canada as well as other sex trade related charges.

This project has add to the resources and tools and the excellent work already being done in Edmonton along the continuum of prevention, intervention and transition. One of the goals is to involve sex trade survivors in creating more of these resources and tools.

1. Offer the choice to eligible individuals to develop a personalized plan to help them end their sex trade involvement. This plan will be considered for approval as a court diversion program.

2. Involve individuals with current and prior sex trade histories in the development and implementation of the process

3. Develop new relationships and strengthen existing ones between and among voluntary sector partners and the 3 levels of government.

4. Provide input into policies, procedures and programs amongst the partner groups and the 3 levels of government.

1. EPS lay the charges and review the guidelines for eligibility. All eligible persons will receive information about the Program and the phone numbers of the Diversion program

2. The next step is up to the individual. The process begins by calling the Coordinator within 7 days of arrest. A meeting is arranged to discuss program and plan.

The COARSE diversion program will be offered to anyone at the time of arrest for S. 213 CC and prostitution related charges that will proceed summarily, with the following exceptions

Individuals who are being lodged on warrants for other that are likely to proceed as indictable related charges may include Indecent Act, Causing a Disturbance (by working as a prostitute), Theft Under $5000 (from a customer), or other minor offences committed while prostituting

This is a brief overview of the demographics of the court diversion program of 124 participants who are currently participating in plans

average age is 32.12 (Range from 18-61)
45 are Caucasian, 44 Status Aboriginal, 28 Metis, 7 other
61 had no stable housing: 19 stayed with friends; 44 had adequate housing
21 had a history of prostitution of less than 1 year; 5 were newcomers
The average length of time participants had engaged in prostitution, at least sporadically, was 8.18 years. Experienced ranged from new to 31 years
69 have addiction as their biggest barriers; 22 had poverty; 26 have mental health disorders
36 have identified/diagnosed mental health disorders
121 are females; 3 are transgendered
58 had no previous prostitution charges; 30 had more than 3 previous
24 had less than grade 8; 76 had some high school; 12 had graduated