This week, CTV News reporter Robert Buffam is taking a rare look beneath the surface of Victoria's idyllic west coast setting into the lives being led by thousands of men and women selling sex.

It happens from the stroll in Victoria's industrial neighbourhood, where roughly 200 sex workers ply their trade, to brothels advertised online and licenced as escort agencies by the city.

But isn't it against the law? We'll speak with police who say they're prioritizing making connections with workers on the street over enforcing the criminal code.

We'll also spotlight a group called Peers, which helps keep sex workers safe on the street as violence against them becomes more common.

The series will air Tuesday to Friday June 20-23 on CTV Vancouver Island News at Five and Six, and will also be posted on our website, Facebook and Twitter.