Image via Wikimedia Commons

If you’ve ever paid for sex, University of Victoria researcher Chris Atchison wants to talk to you.

As part of a new study, Atchinson is surveying Canadians on their experiences with sex workers in the hopes of destigmatizing “Johns” and finding ways to fight human trafficking. Atchinson says “Johns” have morals too, but the negative stereotypes surrounding paying for sex scare some away from reporting underage prostitution and human trafficking. He points to a current trial in Ottawa where testimony shows alleged clients tried to help teenaged sex workers after discovering they were forced to work.

“If (Johns are) already labelled and stigmatized as being evil, perverted, molesters, exploiters, how likely would it be that they would step forward and report abuse?” said Atchinson.

You can take the survey online or arrange an interview here.

[via Metro]

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Josh Sherman is an intern at Toronto Standard. You can follow him on Twitter at @joshuaxsherman.

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