Sex Work & Banking

This CIHR-funded project investigates the process of debanking (the closure of individual bank accounts) and how it affects sex workers in Canada. We want to know how and why this happens, how it is influenced by policies and legislation, and how it affects the health and well-being of sex workers.

Methods:

Environmental scan, including the following:

• Scoping review of the literature

• Review of media sources on the subject of debanking

• Review of Canadian legislation that dictates banking

• Review of bank policies around account closure in Canada’s six major banks

• Interviews with sex workers (n=5) on experiences of debanking

• Interviews with financial experts (n=5) on processes of debanking

This project is in progress. Check back for findings!