A downtown Oshawa initiative has given women a chance at a new life, which could lead
to a career. The project, dubbed Project Champlain, which was aimed at sex trade workers resulted in the arrest of 23 sex trade workers. But of those women, 19 were not charged but
instead diverted to a new program aimed specifically at providing a career path, say police.
The program, which is called the Support Circle, is offered by the John Howard Society and provides sex trade workers with training and counseling services in an effort to change the direction of their lives. Oshawa’s Target Team and the COPR Unit led the three-day project. The purpose of the project was to address the underlying problems of sex trade workers. According to police, the issues vary from drug addiction, family problems, lack of job skills or educational opportunities and in some cases, mental health issues.

The initiative was also supported by a local committee of community agencies, like the
Eastview boys and Girls Club. In total, the 23 women charged ranged from ages 25 to 67. Three of the women were initially charged with communicating for the purpose of prostitution. The other 19 were diverted to the program. However, police say, three of those women were later re-arrested and charged. But those charges could be withdrawn if they remain in the support program, say police. Two more people were charged with several weapons charges as a result of the initiative. Police also seized 3.5 grams of cocaine.