The truth about sexual exploitation - Un trop grand prix

Press release

It’s 2019, it’s time to tell the truth about sexual exploitation

Today, the Un trop grand prix [Too Big a Prize] committee – made up of representatives of the Concertation des luttes contre l’exploitation sexuelle (CLES), Montréal YWCA, Laval Youth Prevention Program and Longueuil Youth Prevention Program – launches its annual campaign to prevent sexual exploitation that will run until the end of the Montréal Formula 1 Grand Prix. Under the slogan, “The truth about sexual exploitation,” this year’s campaign addresses three distinct audiences—girls, parents and potential buyers of sex services.

“Telling the truth about sexual exploitation means deconstructing the myths and prejudice that lead girls into believing they are either safe from recruitment, can just ‘try it out’ for a weekend, or that it’s ‘easy money.’ The same misconceptions lead men to abandon any responsibility, because it’s a woman’s ‘choice’,” says Éliane Legault-Roy, committee spokeswoman. Because of their daily work with women and girls who are victims of sexual exploitation, members of the Un trop grand prix committee decided it was important to reveal the reality of a situation they know only too well. It is a reality that continues to be masked by a culture of silence and the aura of glamour promoted by recruiters and pimps. Messages for girls will be conveyed via Instagram and Snapchat and displayed in bus shelters near schools. Messages for parents will be posted on Facebook, and messages for buyers will appear in the form of ads on various digital platforms. A common point of contact, the campaign website, presents resources and information for different audiences. “The truth about sexual exploitation is that for buyers, it is a crime, and for those who are exploited, it has serious consequences. The reality is that it is never harmless, simple or easy and it rarely lasts only one weekend. The message of the campaign is that in 2019, it’s time we dared to tell and hear the truth about sexual exploitation,” said Ms. Legault-Roy.

Download the press release – in french (.pdf)