Eideard

A dominatrix has won a landmark legal case which could overturn Canada’s prostitution laws after she argued that banning brothels puts women at risk.

Terri-Jean Bedford, 50, ran a brothel called the Bondage Bungalow, which was raided and closed by police in the 1990s. She claimed the country’s laws were forcing sex workers to walk the streets and leaving them vulnerable to violent predators.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Susan Himel ruled in her favour and said prostitutes’ constitutional rights to “life, liberty and security” under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms were being violated.

In a 131-page ruling, the judge said: “I find that the danger faced by prostitutes greatly outweighs any harm which may be faced by the public.”

The ruling “decriminalises” prostitution by allowing for pimping, the operation of brothels and open communication between sex workers and clients.

Following her court victory, which was unexpected, Miss Bedford cracked a riding whip at a press conference and said: “It’s a great day for Canada. It’s like emancipation day for sex trade workers.

“How am I going to celebrate? I’m going to spank some ass.”

Technically, prostitution isn’t illegal in Canada. In practice, federal and provincial law surrounds the practice with sufficient roadblocks to make any trade illegal.

And, yes, I hope you didn’t think Canada’s Conservative government was going to let this decision stand without an appeal.