Activists against sexual exploitation plan to make a big splash on Saturday evening by screening the film punch on the site of the Grand Prix festivities Noémie says yeswhich bluntly denounces juvenile prostitution during the event.
On display since the end of April, Noémie says yes tells the story of a 15-year-old teenager (Kelly Depeault) who, after running away from her youth center, ends up agreeing to prostitute herself during the Grand Prix weekend. A decision that she will end up bitterly regretting, as evidenced by the darkness of the second part of the film.
“We are aware that not all people who come to the Grand Prix are sexual exploiters. But when we are going to be on the site, it is sure that there will be some around us. And even for the others, it’s important that they are made aware of this reality, and that’s what the film does, “says the director, Geneviève Albert, who is supported by the Concertation des fights contre l’exploitationsexual (KEYS) in this action.
The participants plan to show up on site on Saturday evening and sit in the middle of the street to listen Noémie says yes. It is not yet clear how many people are expected.
Rise in demand
Organizations that fight against sexual exploitation have for years cited the Grand Prix weekend as the auspicious time of the year for prostitution, including that of minors. A finding that groups that defend the rights of sex workers tend to qualify. Rather, they accuse organizations like CLES of lapsing into sensationalism by adopting a discourse that legitimizes police repression.
“It’s very particular, the pro-prostitution movement. I agree that prostitution is a positive experience for some women. But that’s a tiny minority. For most, it is a very painful experience. Me, I want to live in a society where there is less prostitution. And the reality is that during the time of the Grand Prix, there is an increase in demand and there are more runaways in youth centres, ”retorts Geneviève Albert, who has done several years of research on prostitution. juvenile before his first feature film.
The director is not, however, one of those who advocate the abolition of the Grand Prix. At the beginning of the week, a petition was even put online to demand the end of the event, mainly for ecological reasons, but also because it is indirectly associated with sexual exploitation.
“If people trip in Formula 1, I have no problem. I am against prostitution. I think the fault lies with the people who buy sex, not the organizers. That said, Formula 1 is very aware of the problem in all the cities it passes through, and it does nothing”, reasons Geneviève Albert, while being perfectly aware that child prostitution remains a major problem the rest of the year. to Montreal.