Andrea Heinz and Kathy King
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"The book is systematic in its approach, first addressing commercialized sexual exploitation from legal, political, economic, social, and psychological perspectives before transitioning toward stories from inside the industry. Drawing on raw personal stories and credible research, the social science study When Men Buy Sex: Who Really Pays? handles the difficult topic of sexual exploitation with sensitivity..."
─Foreword Clarion Reviews
"Heinz and King present a sociological study of the sex trade in contemporary Canada. This unflinching book draws on a wide variety of sources to dissect several aspects of the sex industry in the authors’ home country, with many elaborations that address the subject more universally. An earnest and valuable study of an industry in the shadows."
─Kirkus Reviews
“When Men Buy Sex: Who Really Pays?” provides a sober warning and clear depiction of the abject human rights failures and increased trafficking activity associated with a legalized or decriminalized sex industry.
Heinz and King leverage their lived experience to unveil the euphemisms and deceptions which continue to keep so many Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadian girls and women enslaved in inequality.
Anyone sincerely concerned with the well-being of humanity will heed this book’s call. A strong and universally applied approach to stem consumer demand is necessary to prevent Canada from becoming the world’s brothel.
Heinz and King leverage their lived experience to unveil the euphemisms and deceptions which continue to keep so many Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadian girls and women enslaved in inequality.
Anyone sincerely concerned with the well-being of humanity will heed this book’s call. A strong and universally applied approach to stem consumer demand is necessary to prevent Canada from becoming the world’s brothel.
─Paul Brandt
Founder, #NotInMyCity
Former Chair, Alberta Human Trafficking Task Force
Founder, #NotInMyCity
Former Chair, Alberta Human Trafficking Task Force
This book is fantastic and so needed.
Readers will be hard-pressed to find a more comprehensive analysis of the sex trade industry. While the buying and selling of sex, most often exploitative, have commonalities wherever they occur, this book fills a void on this topic in Canada. It is a must-read for anyone trying to understand the realities of prostitution and, in particular, who really pays when men buy sex. The voices and stories of experiential women ring out in this book, as they must for any reader seeking to learn more on this issue that affects primarily women and girls. The focus in the book, on the harms caused by buyers treating women and girls as commodities, is appropriate and essential when seeking to understand the sex trade.
Much appreciation to Andrea and Kathy for their tireless efforts in this movement.
Readers will be hard-pressed to find a more comprehensive analysis of the sex trade industry. While the buying and selling of sex, most often exploitative, have commonalities wherever they occur, this book fills a void on this topic in Canada. It is a must-read for anyone trying to understand the realities of prostitution and, in particular, who really pays when men buy sex. The voices and stories of experiential women ring out in this book, as they must for any reader seeking to learn more on this issue that affects primarily women and girls. The focus in the book, on the harms caused by buyers treating women and girls as commodities, is appropriate and essential when seeking to understand the sex trade.
Much appreciation to Andrea and Kathy for their tireless efforts in this movement.
─Glendyne Gerrard
Director of Defend Dignity, 2011-2023
Director of Defend Dignity, 2011-2023
“When Men Buy Sex: Who Really Pays?” is an exceptional and insightful read. Heinz and King do an amazing job in elevating the voices of the exploited. This provides an unfettered understanding of sexual exploitation in Canada by providing real stories, taking away the “Pretty Woman” lie that is often furthered by Hollywood and media.
The lie perpetuated in exploitation, that women like what they are doing, is exposed and debunked by the lived experiences highlighted here. The authors and contributors show the industry is not one of work but rather an industry of pain, suffering, and exploitation. Sex buyers need to read this to understand the negative impact of their actions on the exploited.
The lie perpetuated in exploitation, that women like what they are doing, is exposed and debunked by the lived experiences highlighted here. The authors and contributors show the industry is not one of work but rather an industry of pain, suffering, and exploitation. Sex buyers need to read this to understand the negative impact of their actions on the exploited.
─Dan Jones
Associate Chair of Justice Studies, NorQuest College
Retired Police Officer
Associate Chair of Justice Studies, NorQuest College
Retired Police Officer
“When Men Buy Sex: Who Really Pays?” is moving and weighty. Its impact comes from knowing that what you are reading has roots in the authors’ personal lived experiences. Some of the content is tough to take in; it is raw, it is honest. The assessments and recommendations come from research and data, not sanitized and white-washed notions. The perspective of the “empowered sex worker” is effectively dismantled.
This book provides a balanced and considered narrative of the social, personal, political, and emotional factors involved when a human being exchanges sexual access to their body for money. There is a call to the reader to be part of the solution, for us to do better, and to create a world where the inherent value and dignity of all people is recognized and upheld.
With passion and vulnerability, Andrea and Kathy present us with an alternate vision, one where the systemic objectification and exploitation of others for profit is unacceptable in a free world.
This book provides a balanced and considered narrative of the social, personal, political, and emotional factors involved when a human being exchanges sexual access to their body for money. There is a call to the reader to be part of the solution, for us to do better, and to create a world where the inherent value and dignity of all people is recognized and upheld.
With passion and vulnerability, Andrea and Kathy present us with an alternate vision, one where the systemic objectification and exploitation of others for profit is unacceptable in a free world.
─Paul Lavergne
Registered Psychotherapist, Sexual Recovery Therapist, Trainer,
YouTube Interviewer
The Turning Point Counselling Services
Registered Psychotherapist, Sexual Recovery Therapist, Trainer,
YouTube Interviewer
The Turning Point Counselling Services
In the 14 years I have been providing services to help survivors heal, this is the first book I’ve read that gets into the hard truths of sexual exploitation as a whole. It brings so much insight into the societal injustices that have brainwashed society into accepting exploitation as normal, resulting in victims being disregarded.
If you want the raw truth, you must read this. It will impact everything you thought you knew.
If you want the raw truth, you must read this. It will impact everything you thought you knew.
─Katarina MacLeod, Trafficking Survivor
Executive Director, Founder of Rising Angels Awareness
and Restorative Care
Executive Director, Founder of Rising Angels Awareness
and Restorative Care
In their timely book “When Men Buy Sex: Who Really Pays?” authors Andrea Heinz and Kathy King unflinchingly challenge the narrative that “sex work is work.” From their profoundly traumatic experiences with commercial sex, they convincingly shed light on the fact that prostitution is a brutal and deadly industry.
Their voices and experience, backed up by empirical evidence, assure the reader that human rights and gender equality must prevail in Canada.
These are courageous women who counter the powerful, well-financed pro-prostitution lobby.
Their voices and experience, backed up by empirical evidence, assure the reader that human rights and gender equality must prevail in Canada.
These are courageous women who counter the powerful, well-financed pro-prostitution lobby.
─Cathy Peters
‘Be Amazing’ Campaign to End Sexual Exploitation
2022 Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal recipient
for anti-trafficking advocacy work
‘Be Amazing’ Campaign to End Sexual Exploitation
2022 Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal recipient
for anti-trafficking advocacy work
This is an expansive, knowledgeable, and well-informed critique of the sex industry. This book asks the right questions, then answers them!
─Caroline Pugh-Roberts
Trafficking Survivor Inclusion Specialist
Trafficking Survivor Inclusion Specialist
This book is the next powerful tool in the fight to eliminate sexual exploitation. Andrea Heinz and Kathy King have executed the perfect merging of facts-based research and soul-filled anecdotes to reach all kinds, from active advocates to concerned citizens.
With a topic such as this one, it is not enough to only tell the reader of what is happening; it is imperative to also connect them with the who it is happening to. Heinz and King have expertly showcased the intricate web that has been weaved through decades of systemic oppression, patriarchal beliefs, and male entitlement that has entangled so many. And once you see it, you simply can’t go back. “When Men Buy Sex” puts to bed the last vestiges of ‘pro sex work’ mentality and provides an unshakeable foundation from which to charge ahead and create an exploitation free world.
As someone who walked into the commercial sex industry believing myself to be an empowered feminist, only to find out I was actually a victim of trafficking, this book is a balm to my soul. It should be required reading for anyone who wants to claim the sex trade is empowering.
With a topic such as this one, it is not enough to only tell the reader of what is happening; it is imperative to also connect them with the who it is happening to. Heinz and King have expertly showcased the intricate web that has been weaved through decades of systemic oppression, patriarchal beliefs, and male entitlement that has entangled so many. And once you see it, you simply can’t go back. “When Men Buy Sex” puts to bed the last vestiges of ‘pro sex work’ mentality and provides an unshakeable foundation from which to charge ahead and create an exploitation free world.
As someone who walked into the commercial sex industry believing myself to be an empowered feminist, only to find out I was actually a victim of trafficking, this book is a balm to my soul. It should be required reading for anyone who wants to claim the sex trade is empowering.
─Alexandra Stevenson
Trafficking Survivor and Founder of ‘The Laughing Survivor’
B.A. in Criminology, post-secondary certification in Victimology,
M.S. in Psychology
Trafficking Survivor and Founder of ‘The Laughing Survivor’
B.A. in Criminology, post-secondary certification in Victimology,
M.S. in Psychology
“When Men Buy Sex: Who Really Pays?” is a question that challenged me since the 1990s. I was one of the people who “paid” for the impact of men cruising my neighborhood, seeking vulnerable youth and women to exploit. Even today, I am confronted with condoms thrown out the driver’s side window of the cars that park outside my house. And yet those whose bodies are violated pay much more dearly than me and my neighbours.
Andrea, Kathy, and all who contributed to this book have cracked open many stories that need to be heard and acknowledged. This is a timely book. I hope readers can draw strength from it, contribute to debunking myths that glamorize the sex industry, and empathize in solidarity with all whose lives have been deeply impacted.
Andrea, Kathy, and all who contributed to this book have cracked open many stories that need to be heard and acknowledged. This is a timely book. I hope readers can draw strength from it, contribute to debunking myths that glamorize the sex industry, and empathize in solidarity with all whose lives have been deeply impacted.
─Kate Quinn
Executive Director, Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation, 1996-2023
2012 Woman of Distinction Award for
Lifetime Achievement in fighting sexual exploitation
2022 Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal recipient for
30 years of community advocacy
Executive Director, Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation, 1996-2023
2012 Woman of Distinction Award for
Lifetime Achievement in fighting sexual exploitation
2022 Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal recipient for
30 years of community advocacy
"When Men Buy Sex: Who Really Pays?" is a must read for all parents, youth, service providers, systems, and the general public. Sexual exploitation is a complex issue rooted in racism, sexism, and classism and it is a 100% preventable crime. Andrea Heinz and Kathy King share rare insights into this reality for all women, illustrate the unique challenges Indigenous women face, and, most importantly, offer solutions by honouring the voices of Survivors.
This book is educational, heart-wrenching at times, and inspiring. Readers will be forever changed and compelled to act. Our Indigenous teachings say that a warrior is defined and measured by how they protect the most vulnerable and stand up for what is right. Andrea and Kathy exemplify this. They are brave, show humility, love, and kindness, and their work is truly heart medicine work.
Meegwetch (thank you).
This book is educational, heart-wrenching at times, and inspiring. Readers will be forever changed and compelled to act. Our Indigenous teachings say that a warrior is defined and measured by how they protect the most vulnerable and stand up for what is right. Andrea and Kathy exemplify this. They are brave, show humility, love, and kindness, and their work is truly heart medicine work.
Meegwetch (thank you).
─Diane Redsky
Advocate for Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples’ safety
Director, National Task Force on Sex Trafficking of
Women and Girls in Canada
Advocate for Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples’ safety
Director, National Task Force on Sex Trafficking of
Women and Girls in Canada
The book is amazing, just amazing, with in-depth resources provided, experts consulted, and survivor stories that leave the reader in tears.
If there was ever a book published in Canada that tells the WHOLE story about the truth behind the commercial sex industry and its myths exposed, this is it. From the personal testimonies of courageous survivors who expose the willfully ignored dark culture of male entitlement to the bodies of girls and women, to the explanation of how this has been allowed to continue in an age where the equality of women is celebrated, the reader will not only be educated but stunned.
“When Men Buy Sex: Who Really Pays?” should be a mandatory read for all youth, a generation that is capable of shifting Canadian culture by demanding that buying sex be legally and socially abolished.
If there was ever a book published in Canada that tells the WHOLE story about the truth behind the commercial sex industry and its myths exposed, this is it. From the personal testimonies of courageous survivors who expose the willfully ignored dark culture of male entitlement to the bodies of girls and women, to the explanation of how this has been allowed to continue in an age where the equality of women is celebrated, the reader will not only be educated but stunned.
“When Men Buy Sex: Who Really Pays?” should be a mandatory read for all youth, a generation that is capable of shifting Canadian culture by demanding that buying sex be legally and socially abolished.
─Vancouver Collective Against Sexual Exploitation (VCASE)
For far too long, Canadian sex buyers have benefited from anonymity and hiding in the shadows while their victims have suffered in silence. No more. “When Men Buy Sex” is an important and necessary volume of evidence and voices that unveil the significant harms of buying sex. Canada has a responsibility to protect those most at risk and hold accountable those who exploit them. I am grateful that Andrea Heinz and Kathy King have put together this book and confident that it will advance a national conversation to end exploitation.
─Arnold Viersen
Member of Parliament for Peace River – Westlock
Co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group
to End Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
Member of Parliament for Peace River – Westlock
Co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group
to End Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
