Vulnerabilities in Calgary’s sex trade

After Calgary police arrested a man who allegedly kidnapped, drugged, and sexually assaulted multiple women, local support groups are speaking out on the vulnerabilities of the city’s sex trade.

Officers believe at least three women were approached by a man on 19 Avenue SE between December 2021 and March 2023.

It’s alleged that the women were drugged and taken to a rural property where they were physically and sexually assaulted.

Police believe they were all targeted based on their sex worker status.

“Quite often, those involved in the sex trade are seen as easy targets because of the myths that we’ve held onto for centuries, the way that we’ve seen them as disposable human beings,” said Kristine Cassie, the CEO of the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre.

“We know that they are often discounted by the rest of society. Being able to come forward and find that voice takes a great deal of bravery.”

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Danielle Aubry, the CEO of Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA), says sex trade workers are “very vulnerable.”

“Vulnerabilities of sex trade workers, particularly the ones that are working on the street, you know, it’s massive,” she said.

“That’s the type of crime it is, right? It’s people that are looking to take advantage of the situation, and honestly, the more vulnerability that they can see, the better.”

Cassie adds there was once a time when such allegations may have been handled differently.

“I was relieved to see that it was taken seriously by a policing agency, which we know historically hasn’t necessarily been the case,” she said.

“And there’s a great risk when they come forward this way.”

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Meanwhile, reports on past court documents of the suspect say he faced similar charges in Strathmore in 2022.

While the case was going through court, the suspect missed his court appearance three weeks ago.

None of the cases have been proven in court.

Victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact CCASA for support.

Anyone with information about this incident to call police at 403-266-1234 or leave a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

-With files from Kenny Mason