Starting February 4th, TOUCHER will premiere on AMI-télé, a bold documentary series that frankly addresses a reality largely shrouded in taboo in our society: the sexuality of people with disabilities.
Even today, a persistent prejudice suggests that physical limitations erase desire. TOUCHER overturns this view by giving a voice to six adults with disabilities who remind us that sexuality is a fundamental and universal human need.
Directed by Vanessa Boisset and produced by Avanti-Toast in collaboration with AMI-télé, the series offers a sensitive immersion into the realities of people for whom sexual assistance is sometimes one of the few avenues available to explore intimacy.
Through frank and deeply personal accounts, the participants share their desires, their relationships, the obstacles that complicate access to a fulfilling sex life, and the motivations that led them to seek sexual assistance services. The series also gives a voice to their loved ones and the sex workers who support them.
Each episode of the series, broadcast Wednesdays at 9 p.m., is enriched by insights from specialists from various fields, including law, health, and ethics, to better understand the legal, social, and political issues related to this sensitive topic.
“Through its original productions, AMI-télé aims to reflect all facets of the lives of people with disabilities. Their intimacy and basic needs are part of that. With the series TOUCHER, we are proposing to open a necessary conversation that has been avoided for too long,” emphasizes Isabella Federigi, Vice-President of Content Development and Programming at AMI-télé.
The series also raises a major societal debate: in Canada, sexual assistance remains illegal, unlike in some countries, such as Switzerland and the Netherlands, where it is recognized and regulated. By highlighting this contrast, TOUCHER invites us to reflect on the path that still needs to be taken to better reconcile inclusion and sexual rights.
EPISODE LIST
Episode 1 – Deconstructing Prejudice and Breaking the Taboo
Marc-Olivier had never had sex until he employed a sex worker at the age of 25. During these encounters, he forgets his physical condition, and his wheelchair is no longer a factor. He is simply a man.
Episode 2 – Women with Disabilities: A Higher Risk of Sexuality
To experience her sexuality, Joanie-Marika, a deaf and disabled woman, uses dating apps, thus exposing herself to abuse. This could be avoided if she had access to supervised services and a qualified sex worker.
Episode 3 – Reconnecting with Sexuality After an Accident
Sébastien had a fulfilling sex life. After losing the use of his legs in a serious car accident, he validated his sexual abilities with the help of a sex worker. Now in a relationship, he enjoys an active, albeit different, sex life.
Episode 4 – Ready to Do Anything for Their Son’s Well-being
At 23, Alek wanted to explore his sexuality. His parents agreed to support him in his decision to use a sex worker. For them, it is essential that he be able to flourish sexually and develop his self-esteem.
Episode 5 – Falling in Love with His Sex Worker
Tristan uses a sex worker to fulfill his need for intimacy and break his loneliness, dreaming of one day having a girlfriend. For this man with a severe disability, these encounters have a calming effect, both physically and psychologically.
Episode 6 – When Will Sexual Needs Be Recognized?
In some countries, access to sexual assistance is recognized as a right or even a reimbursable service. In Canada, it’s a crime. What would it take to change the law and decriminalize this service for people with disabilities?
