Can we do something to slow or even stop prostitution in Canada?

The answer is a resounding yes, we can end prostitution! A new national campaign from The Christian and Missionary Alliance to defend the dignity of every woman and girl can be part of that answer.

The campaign, Defend Dignity, launches this spring.

Every Alliance church will receive a package of information which includes DVD's and an invitation to visit a new website www.defenddignity.ca. The package is filled with critical information along with suggestions for your involvement.

Each of us comes to this issue from a different path or perspective. My life has been forever changed since last spring.

The Holy Spirit used days of reading through documents on the realities of prostitution in Canada and then getting to know a former prostitute from Vancouver's East Side to completely engage me in the issue.

One of my aha moments was reading a report from the Aboriginal Women's Action Network. I sensed God's Spirit convicting me as the statistics and stories became real life women and children.

In Regina last summer I met Josie, a long time street worker. I heard firsthand the realities of her life, and asked myself "where have I been and where have we been as a denomination on this issue?"

Human trafficking is certainly on everyone's radar these days. However, most of us don't realize that trafficking is happening, on a regular basis, in our Canadian cities, towns and reserves with our Canadian girls and women.

We believe that with the issue before the courts in Ontario and receiving a higher profile in the media, this is the time to get involved. Benjamin Perrin, a law professor at the University of British Columbia, believes that we are at a unique point in Canadian history.

He is convinced we can change the laws on prostitution in this country. He argues that we need to criminalize the demand and also decriminalize the women, treating them instead as victims.

A similar law was enacted in Sweden 11 years ago. Subsequently, that nation saw a 60 percent drop in prostitution within the first year. Drug detox centres and job retraining are now in place for the women, while the buyers of sex are penalized with jail sentences and fines.

Jesus asks us to come alongside the least of these. Our Vision Prayer asks us to be passionate in pursuit of his mission and mercy. Defend Dignity offers you a way to do just that.