Understanding Sex Work

Understanding Sex Work is a Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research project at the University of Victoria, led by sociologist Cecilia Benoit. Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, it brings together Canadian community organizations and an international research team to examine the experiences of people involved in Canada’s sex industry. The project recognizes that sex work encompasses varied services and relationships, while workers and others connected to the industry face distinctive stigma, safety concerns and legal challenges that can affect health and well-being.

Its research investigates the effects of the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (Bill C-36) on sex workers’ health and safety, as well as the social and policy conditions shaping people’s lives and work. Rather than offering commercial products, the project provides research and knowledge resources, including peer-reviewed articles, reports and webinars. Topics include workplace relationships, resilience, policing, stigma, disclosure, health, rights and policy.