Group-owned and controlled by its members, co-ops are the traditional purview of credit unions, farmers and artists.

But a coalition of prostitutes in Vancouver sees no reason why it can't join that list.

Tired of unsafe working conditions, the B.C. Coalition of Experiential Women is exploring the idea of starting a sex workers co-operative, where the selling of sex and its accoutrements would be controlled not by the need to pay off drug debts or pimp fees but by the prostitutes themselves.

CBC 23032007