Watching the rise of Airbnb and the use of former rental housing as pop-up brothels in some cases, the Vancouver Police Department is maintaining a harm-reduction style approach to dealing with sex work. Different cities take different approaches to legislating sex work.
While police point out that brothels are still illegal in Vancouver, the city is stained by the legacy of serial killer Robert Pickton, who preyed on Downtown Eastside sex workers.
The VPD now has a sex industry outreach worker, and says these days they are trying to operate with sensitivity, aware that prostitutes may be victims of larger criminal entities.
Websites like redlightcanada. Last fall, the UK launched an investigation into pop-up brothels, which have been flourishing there due to the rise of short-term accommodation sites. In Vancouver, some have wondered if criminal organizations might buy properties as investments and run illegal businesses, such as brothels or massage parlours, while the property appreciates. But, Const. Doucette points out the game has been changing for sex workers. The VPD is abandoning women in prostitution.
Buying sex, pimping and other exploitive practices are illegal in Canada. Since , Canada has recognized that prostitution is male violence against mostly women.
