Prostitution-related arrests in Moncton after RCMP probe

CTV Atlantic: Ten men arrested for soliciting services Ten men have been arrested in Moncton over the last two weeks for allegedly soliciting sexual services. CTV’s Jonathan MacInnis reports

A raft of charges have been laid after a two-day prostitution sting in Moncton. Ten men have been arrested for allegedly soliciting sexual services.

The RCMP conducted two operations – one on Oct. 14 and another on Oct. 27 – targeting individuals who were allegedly attempting to buy services from sex-trade workers in the area of Dufferin Street.

Police conducted “Operation Transition” after following up on complaints from residents.

“We decided that we would conduct an operation to try to deter people from first of all victimizing or re-victimizing sex trade workers. There's a lot of violence usually involved with that,” said Cpl. Jaques Cloutier of Codiac RCMP.

Kate Michaud has lived in that neighbourhood for a couple years. She says prostitution has become more visible over the last few months.

“Definitely cars and trucks driving slowly down the street looking at girls that aren't even prostitutes, and definitely you can see the prostitutes themselves out here,” said Michaud.

The men range in age from 25 to 80 years old. Police say the men are from Moncton, Cocagne, Memramcook, Grand-Barachois, Saint-Andrews, Colpitts Settlement, Oxford, N.S. and Nouvelle, Que.

“It's unfortunate that a social issue such as this has to be addressed through the law,” said Debby Warren of AIDS Moncton.

Warren says these arrests only address part of the problem.

“The majority of the work is done through the web nowadays, through the telephone, escort services, and so you're just seeing the tip of the iceberg,” she said. “These women are, for the most part, doing survival sex, doing what they need to do to survive in their day to day lives.”

All 10 men are due to appear in Moncton Provincial Court on Jan. 9.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Jonathan MacInnis.