Federal government gives $2.1M to help South Okanagan women leave the sex trade

The federal government has announced $2.13 million in funding to help women safely leave the sex trade in the South Okanagan.

Stephen Fuhr, MP for Kelowna–Lake Country, oversaw the announcement of the cash on behalf of public safety minister Ralph Goodale.

The money is for the SAFE eXiting from the Sex Trade program (SAFEXST), which will be delivered by the South Okanagan Women in Need Society in Penticton.

SAFEXST provides assistance to women leaving the sex trade through personalized programs aimed at helping them overcome concerns of dignity and respect.

The five-year project began in 2017 and is expected to reach as many as 200 people.

“We are proud to support programming like the one provided by the South Okanagan Women in Need Society that empowers at-risk individuals to make positive and healthy decisions by giving them access to support and opportunities to exit the sex trade they wouldn’t otherwise have,” Fuhr said.

Debbie Scarborough, executive director at the South Okanagan Women in Need Society, said the funding will help a “very vulnerable” group.

“We believe that the harm reduction approach we are taking has allowed us to connect with people where they’re at – the Mobile Outreach Van provides services to the entire South Okanagan, delivering harm reduction materials, overdose prevention education, and other basic necessities,” she added.

“The Centre is a resource for women who are engaged in or at risk of relying on sex work as a means of survival, and we are dedicated to supporting women toward safety and positive social and health outcomes.”