Sexual Exploitation Working Group

God has shown all you people what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8 Tweet

Current Program Priorities (2018-21)

Gender-Based Violence

Together, we are committed to understanding the nature of gender-based violence, casting a vision to restore mutuality between women and men.

Prostitution and trafficking are a form of violence against women. The majority of those being sold are female and overwhelmingly the buyers are male. The act of renting a woman’s body stands on the continuum of violence against women including domestic abuse and sexual assault. The Sexual Exploitation Working Group (SEWG) is committed to equity between women and men.

Racism and Poverty within Sexual Exploitation

Together, we are committed to naming and addressing the systemic nature of racism and poverty within sexual exploitation.

Sexual Exploitation of Indigenous Women

Together, we are committed to understanding the linkages between sexual exploitation and missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, children in care, and other disproportionately affected groups.

Indigenous women are overrepresented in prostitution and the foster care system. The violence and dehumanization of colonization have left Canada plagued with systemic racism against Indigenous people.

Our Resources

Sexual Exploitation in Canada

A leadership and learning kit for churches.

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bw image of a girl sitting in the grass looking at camera

Human Trafficking in Canada

A leadership and learning kit for churches.

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About the Sexual Exploitation Working Group

In April 2008, the Commission on Justice and Peace established this as part of a strategic planning process that identified human trafficking as a common interest among several member churches.

In January 2016, the Commission changed their name to the Sexual Exploitation in Canada Working Group to reflect our focus on and commitment to broader issues surrounding sexual exploitation. Our purpose is to lead an ecumenical response to sexual exploitation, including pornography, as a justice and human rights issue that primarily affects women and children.

Current Members (2021-24)

Rev. Brenda Mann, Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec
Rev. Deb Stanbury (co-chair), The Presbyterian Church in Canada/ARISE Ministry
Diane Dwarka (co-chair), Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada
Nancy Brown, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
Glendyne Gerrard (observer), Defend Dignity/The Christian & Missionary Alliance
Rev. Karen Stepko, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
Julia Beazley (guest), Evangelical Fellowship of Canada
Jennifer Lucking, Reformed Church in America
Savelia Curniski, Orthodox Church in America

Rachele Lamont, Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda Territory
Penny Rankin (observer), Montreal Council of Women
Kelly Crawford, Orthodox Church in America
Susan Johnson, Mar Thoma Church
Erin Jamieson (youth member), CCC Governing Board
Paul Gehrs (Commission on Justice and Peace), Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
Donna Geernaert (Commission on Justice and Peace), Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

Last updated: February 2022