Prostitution sting nets 33 charges in Calgary's core
CBC News | Posted: October 27, 2015 3:14 PM | Last Updated: October 27, 2015
Vice unit targets buyers of sexual services, offers assistance to sex-trade workers
Calgary police have charged 33 people in a prostitution sting.
Officers with the vice unit spent four days in mid-October targeting street-level consumers of sexual services in the city's core.
"The areas targeted were identified as being problem locations by police and the community," police said in a release.
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In total, 33 people were charged with unlawfully communicating with a person for the purpose of obtaining sexual services.
Two people were also arrested on warrants for being a disqualified driver, while a third person was arrested on a criminal-code warrant.
During the operation, police also provided information to sex trade workers, including contact information for agencies that help women who want to exit the business.
'Complex issue'
"Prostitution is a complex issue requiring a collaborative approach amongst law enforcement and social service agencies," police said in the release. "The Calgary Police Service's highest priorities are cases involving minors, exploitation and human trafficking."
Police encourage anyone who is a victim of human trafficking or exploitation to contact any of the following organizations for assistance.
- VICE Unit Hotline – 403-428-2356
- Servants Anonymous – 403-237-8477
- Shift Calgary – 403-237-8171
- ACT Alberta – 780-474-1104
- Crime Stoppers – 1-800-222-8477