Canadian Press

Child-prostitution act to undergo changes

EDMONTON — Suspected child prostitutes in Alberta could be detained without charges for up to seven weeks under amendments introduced yesterday to child-protection law quashed by the courts.

The changes will both toughen the Protection of Children Involved in Prostitution Act and ensure it respects a child's legal rights under the Charter, said Children's Services Minister Iris Evans.

The law, enacted in February of 1999, allowed authorities to treat suspected child prostitutes as abused children.

— CP