Kate Walker Reporter. The sanctuary was identified as one of the most-needed resources in the community and is the first of its kind in the city.
The opening in April saw single-digit numbers passing through, but over the summer, the numbers went up. Susan Crouse, executive director of the Salvus Clinic. Nightly visits, on average, range from zero to five and an estimated 70 individuals have been identified in the sex trade in the greater Moncton area. The centre -- at an undisclosed location -- was designed to be a safe haven for people who work in the sex trade, and to ease the minds of people who live in the areas where the activity is taking place.
Charles Leger. The RCMP say prostitution in the Moncton area is most prevalent in the downtown core and that they routinely monitor the area for illegal soliciting.
Crouse, who works personally with some of the workers, says the centre was also about making the community feel safe.
The harm-reduction "sanctuary" provides clean needles, condoms and opportunities for change, should someone identify they want to exit the sex trade. Efforts now are to increase recovery services to those currently using the centre and more who choose to seek help. With winter approaching, they are expecting to see more sex workers come through the doors. The hours have been extended and just last week more staff were added, some of whom have actually experienced the sex trade.
