Pippa Norman

Safety committee votes to continue allowing raids on Richmond massage parlours

Richmond's Community Safety Committee voted Tuesday night to allow bylaw officers to continue to raid massage parlours in the city.

This comes as SWAN, an organization which advocates for sex workers, claims these raids have been putting women into unsafe situations.

"There was blocking of exits, lining up women, taking their IDs, subsequent raids. Women reported they're now more scared of bylaw officers than RCMP," said Crystal Laderas, communications manager for SWAN.

SWAN says these massage parlours are licensed businesses and are far safer alternative workplaces for those who may otherwise be forced to work in private residences.

"There's a no tolerance policy for abuse and disrespect for all of the workers," Laderas said. "So if someone comes in, like a client or someone else who's not treating the workers with respect, they immediately get kicked out. They want their safer workplaces protected."

The committe heard from SWAN at the meeting today.

After the meeting, Laderas posted to X that Richmond has voted to "move backwards in sex worker safety."

"Instead of trying to crack down on these businesses, it could work with community groups and develop sex worker safety guidelines."