Fund Safety, Not Stigma: Stand with Sex Workers and Support WISH
Photo Credit: Wendy D
Vancouver, Canada—International Women’s Day is a global call to action to empower women and girls everywhere. It’s a day to reflect on the progress made and acknowledge the work still ahead.
First celebrated in 1911, International Women's Day marks over a century of progress toward gender equality. However, many women around the world still face barriers to their basic needs—food, shelter, and safety.
This is also the case in our immediate communities. In Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, women and gender diverse street-based sex workers face severe discrimination, caused by sex work stigma and the criminalization of sex work. When people are prevented access to essential services, they are left without critical protections and support.
That’s where WISH Drop-In Centre comes in. Since 1984, the WISH Drop-In Centre Society has been dedicated to supporting street-based sex workers in Vancouver, working to improve their health, safety, and well-being through rights, not rescue. But funding shortages threaten WISH’s ability to keep its doors open for those who need it most.
Understanding Sex Work
Sex work is work. It is the consensual exchange of sexual services for money or goods—and "consensual" is the key word. It is not the same as sex trafficking, which involves coercion, deception, and abuse. People enter sex work for many reasons. For some, it provides a means of survival in the face of poverty.
“We just want to live our lives. We just want to raise our children, be happy, healthy, and productive.”
The Laws Surrounding Sex Work in Canada
In Canada, selling sex is not a crime, but buying it is. Under the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (PCEPA), introduced in 2014 after the Canada v. Bedford case, laws aimed at protecting sex workers have inadvertently created conditions that increase their vulnerability.
By criminalizing the purchase of sex, these laws push the work underground, making sex workers afraid to report violence or seek help due to fear of legal consequences. This isolation fosters unsafe working conditions and forces rushed negotiations that can put workers at even greater risk.
It is not sex work itself that is inherently degrading or dangerous—it is the stigma, criminalization, and the absence of protection that create these risks.
WISH Drop-In: A Critical Support System
For over 40 years, WISH has provided refuge and non-judgemental support for women and gender-diverse people in need. Many of those who come to WISH have experienced gender-based violence, dehumanization, and systemic discrimination. They are directly impacted by the criminalization of sex work and the stigma surrounding it.
“Thank you for caring about me when I couldn’t do it for myself.”
Photo Credit: Wendy D
At WISH, the mission is clear: to improve the health, safety, and well-being of women involved in Vancouver’s street-based sex trade. Through a range of essential programs, WISH operates after hours when most social services are closed. These include:
The WISH Shelter: Canada’s first 24/7 emergency shelter for street-based sex workers.
The Mobile Access (MAP) Van: Provides overnight support to approximately 1,400 sex workers monthly in isolated or unsafe areas.
The InReach Program: Provides 1-to-1 mental health, medical, and outreach services; facilitates the Bad Date Reporting system that allows sex workers to warn each other about dangerous individuals.
With hundreds of requests each week, WISH staff work tirelessly to help women navigate increasingly complex challenges. At the heart of WISH’s work is the Drop-In Centre—a safe, non-judgmental space that serves 330-350 women each night, offering access to hot meals, showers, clothing, personal care items, and harm reduction supplies.
“Call it home, call it family, call it whatever you want, but we all come here to take care of ourselves.”
Photo Credit: Wendy D
However, due to ongoing funding shortages, while other WISH programs remain operational, the Drop-In program has had to temporarily close its doors.
A Personal Reflection: What I Saw at WISH
I had the privilege of volunteering at the Drop-In Centre before its closure. When you walk upstairs, you’re greeted by the sound of the TV, usually playing the nightly news or a lighthearted sitcom. In front of the TV, there are comfortable chairs where participants can relax or take a nap. Towards the kitchen, a donation table often hosts mini fashion shows, while the dining area buzzes with a strong sense of community. The whiteboard outside the kitchen lists the nightly menu, with nourishing options like curry and rice or grilled cheese and tomato soup. Salad, buttered bread, and–most importantly–dessert is always included.
At the Drop-In, women and gender-diverse people, who work hard jobs, can take a break, connect with peers, and access support when they need it most.
Take Action This International Women’s Day
It’s crucial that the Drop-In program starts up again—because every woman deserves access to a safe space, meals, critical services, and a sense of community.
This International Women’s Day, you can take action. WISH depends on the support of the community to keep its essential services running. Donate to WISH and help bring back the Drop-In program. Every contribution, no matter how small (even just $5) makes a difference.
Together, we can ensure that all women have safety, dignity, and the right to make choices about their own lives.
Because every woman deserves that. Every woman.