Some brainy types (and their friends) are going to be hashing out some ideas to address the escort community’s needs.  Read the whole story at The Times Colonist…

Conference to explore sex workers’ issues
Topics to include health and safety, as well as decriminalization effects

A conference on sex trade workers is being held in Victoria Jan. 16-17, hosted by the University of Victoria hub of the Women’s Health Research Network.

The meeting intends to help with the public’s perception and understanding of the industry. Those attending include scholars, community advocates, health-care workers, policy planners and people who have worked in the sex trade.

The public is also invited.

Issues to be discussed include the impact of different policies on the workers’ health and safety and current challenges to the Canadian Criminal Code regarding prostitution laws, states a news release from the sponsoring group.

A lecture on the experiences of sex workers in New Zealand, the only country that has nationally decriminalized its sex industry, will be held at 6 p.m. on Jan. 16. The keynote speakers will discuss how changes in the social and legal environments affect the health, safety, and security of those working in the sex industry.

A day-long workshop on Jan. 17 will develop a curriculum for educating the public about the myths and misperceptions of the sex industry in a bid to reduce the stigma attached to sex work.

The conference, titled Challenging Myths and Misperceptions: Working to Reduce Stigma and Enhance Public Understanding of People Who Work in the Sex Industry, is free, but space is limited.

A conference overview and agenda is available at www.whrn.ca. Meetings will be held at the Bedford Regency Hotel.