I just want to add that Statistics Canada does not capture people who do not report violence. Our data does capture that, and I think that is very important.
We found that only 26% of sex workers who experienced violence reported it under PCEPA. From qualitative research, we know the reasons for that. It is because of the continued criminalization. Sex workers are worried, even mentally, with their safety in mind. They're worried to report violence to police because they're worried that their reports will be used later on against them in enforcement efforts. In the context of continued structural stigma, sex workers feel that their violence reporting is not being taken seriously and that, because of the assumption that sex work is inherently dangerous, it's getting minimized.
In the context of immigration concerns, it's a huge barrier for people who have unstable immigration status to go forward and report violence.
Thank you.