WISH Statement on FIFA Impacts

What’s happening in our community

WISH Drop-In Centre is located within 2km of BC Place. This is part of the “controlled zone” defined by the Vancouver FIFA World Cup By-Law. In this area, residents have been told to expect security checkpoints and intensified surveillance by hundreds of CCTV cameras and drones.

Increased law enforcement throughout the city will include police (RCMP & VPD), transit police, bylaw enforcement officers, and private security guards.

Street-based sex workers, and other groups of people made vulnerable by oppressive policies and practices, will be negatively impacted by this increased policing and surveillance.

In the downtown area, game-related road closures impact mobility, making it more difficult for WISH participants to access services at our location, and for WISH’s mobile outreach team to connect with people in need.  

There are additional risks for sex workers because of the intense focus being given to anti-trafficking initiatives. The persistent – and false – claim that major sporting events contribute to an increase in sex trafficking fuels “red flag” campaigns that are not evidence-based and put marginalized people at greater risk.

When organizations conflate sex work with sex trafficking, it’s intentionally confusing. This can lead to the incorrect assumption that sex work is trafficking, which just marginalizes sex workers further.

– Aja Lamb-Hartley, Operations Manager

Ensuring the safety, dignity, and well being of sex workers requires a meaningful understanding of the systemic factors impacting our lives and undermining our safety. With such a massive increase in surveillance and police, we’re very worried about potential impacts to community members

– Kara Gilles, Executive Director

The massive influx of people in the city and surrounding areas during FIFA makes it significantly more difficult for sex workers to access services and support. Participants are looking forward to supporting their community through enhanced outreach. 

– Jenny Sloman, Senior Manager of Participant Engagement

WISH’s response

During the games, WISH’s InReach team and participants are offering Enhanced Mobile Services through increased outreach and peer support. This initiative is supported by one-time funding from the City of Vancouver to increase service provision for communities impacted by FIFA.

WISH participants can get involved by accessing paid opportunities to create sex worker safety kits to be distributed during the FIFA tournament, and paid opportunities to do street outreach.

A total of 19 dates of additional outreach will be provided, including 7 shifts with WISH’s InReach Workers and Housing Support Worker providing mobile outreach.

Street-based sex workers are invited to connect with the InReach team directly for details.

FIFA response programs are running in addition to regular WISH programming. Services including overnight MAP Van shifts will not be impacted.

Summary

1. Vancouver FIFA World Cup By-Law is in effect from May 13 – July 20, 2026
2. Increased surveillance by police will have a negative impact on street-based sex workers
3. WISH participants please contact InReach for more information about added services