A Historic World Survivors March Opens CAP's World Congress in Montreal

10 June 2024

"We, survivors of prostitution from Canada and everywhere in the world, call for a March to end the prostitution system!"

Organised by CAP International, SPACE

On June 1st 2024, the streets of Montreal witnessed a powerful moment in the fight against the prostitution system: the World Survivors March which officially opened CAP International's 4th World Congress for the Abolition of Prostitution "Equality in Action".

Organised by CAP International and La CLES, the March brought together brought together 28 survivors of prostitution from 13 different countries, joined by more than 250 allies and activists. Together, they marched to amplify survivor voices and put survivor leadership at the forefront of the global abolitionist movement.

© Maïka Charrette

"Prostitution is violence, no more silence"

With chants echoing through symbolic locations like Place Émilie-Gamelin, the Court of Justice, and the Ministry of Justice, the march delivered a strong, unified message:

“Prostitution is violence against women and girls. It violates human dignity.”

Holding banners and chanting together, the participants demanded:

Stronger implementation of Canada’s abolitionist law
Immediate action to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, many of whom are exploited by pimps and sex buyers
Justice, dignity, and equality for all women and girls

© Maïka Charrette

"No more stolen sisters"

April Eve, Indigenous survivor and activist, spoke up highlighting :

"Don’t believe the lies of pimps or the ‘ho culture’ telling us prostitution is a good thing, that it is empowering. We don’t have to do this to survive."

© Maïka Charrette

She exposed the deep links between prostitution, trafficking, and the tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada. She further highlighted the role of colonisation and its perpetuation in the objectification and commodification of Indigenous women and girls, leading to their overrepresentation in the prostitution system today.

Her voice echoed the chants of the crowd: "listen to survivors, end the violence".

A global call for equality

"We stand together as frontline and survivor-led organisations to share best practices to end sexual exploitation. A world without prostitution is possible"

addressed Jennie-Laure Sully, coordinator of la CLES, CAP International's canadian member.

"The energy was incredible. People were excited and feel like we've made a lot of accomplishments just being together and showing the power of survivors". -Cherie Jimenez, director of SPACE Intl.

With every united step and a single, powerful voice, the Survivor’s March spoke directly to the heart.

The testimonies, the tears, the unwavering courage [even when voices trembled] resounded one clear message:

“This is not okay. This must stop. You no longer own me.” These moments marked my soul in a way I will never forget. Being part of this experience filled me with renewed strength to keep standing up for what is right, to trust the quiet inner voice urging, “Keep going… be a voice for the voiceless,” and to continue doing my part, however small, to make a difference for those who are unseen by society. Thank you CAP for the opportunity to be part of this in Canada and for making it possible to carry its message back to Malta. - Maria Borg Pellicano, representative from Dar Hosea, our maltese member.

The World Survivors March was a powerful gathering with more than 250 participants : women's rights' activists, frontline experts, survivors, and allies coming together in unity to remind that prostitution is neither sex nor work but a system of violence preying on the most vulnerable in our societies.

Watch the CTV Montreal News report about the March and the Global News coverage of the March.