'Buying sex is not a sport' campaign launches ahead of Montreal Grand Prix

Beyond the scantily-clad models posing with expensiveproducts,Grand Prix enthusiasts will see a new ad around Crescent Streetthis summer declaring "Buying sex is not a sport."

Human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Montreal spike dramatically during raceweekend andlocal human rights groups want to draw attention to it.

"The Grand Prix brings in a lot of money and the men want escorts," saidShanieRoy, who worked in the sex trade between the ages of 15 and 18 and now leads anti-sexual exploitation workshops.

"There are also those who feel they can abuse and harass women."

Roy works for La Concertation des luttes contre l'exploitation sexuelle (CLES), one of the groups involved in the new campaign announced Wednesday.

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The Grand Prix isnotorious for using women's bodies for promotion, saidNathalieKhlat,president of Beacon of theFreed.

"We must stick to our principles and not trivialize the issue, as has been done with thecommercialisationof women's bodies," saidKhlat.

Theads will appear on anilluminated publicity truck circulating downtown Montreal, as well as billboards andSTM buses.

Province backs campaign

Lise Thriault, the province'sminister responsible for the status of women,was on hand for the announcement.

The Quebec governmentis giving $30,000 to the campaign.

"Sexual exploitation, in all its forms, is unacceptable," she said.

Montreal police worked to crack down on the annual increase in prostitution last year.

Police sent out a specialized squad to patrol in strip clubs, hotels, motels andmassage parlours, as well as on sites related to the Grand Prix.