Sex workers are dying, their human rights are being violated and the government has a

[ham2004]

Sex workers are dying, their human rights are being violated and the government has a responsibility to do something about it," said Pacey, who presented the report to the media with Gleeson.



Just thought that this would make an interesting topic...

http://www.vancourier.com/031204/news/031204nn2.html

 

[Ophelia Black]

Vancouver is a beautiful prosperous city, filled with gleaming blue buildings, proud to be working towards the 2010 Olympics and an ever more successful future.

And yet ten blocks away is a West Coast Whitechapel; a step back 116 years to Victorian London.

This is not overstatement - I used to ride my bike home from a civilian job late at night, and I'd pass by a railroad crossing in the Franklin Street/ Powell/East Hastings area by the waterfront where a woman was beheaded and disemboweled.

It's interesting how we condemn Iran for allowing the lashing of women who Iranian society finds morally suspect. Here we throw them to the dogs - to monsters like Willy Pickton and Donald Michael Bakker who torture and kill and kill again.

This is a really good article on the topic...I've spoken to John Lowman personally while doing some research and he is absolutely passionate about this issue, and tenacious as hell; we need more people like him.

I'm hoping Mayor Larry Campbell and Lowman do a tag team on the patronizing, ignorant pricks who sentence women to death in this 'world class' city with the flick of a bylaw.

http://www.firstnationsdrum.com/fall2000/cult_missing.htm

 

[rdhaired_vixen]

ophelia... i do so love your political condemanation....it it sad that in this day an age this is happening

 

[ham2004]

What I think you have missed is that the PIVOT group has the ear of a judical body and it looks like the SP and MPA are going to be legalized.

This is one case worth watching... It impacts all of Canada.

 

[midLifeCrisis]

What I think you have missed is that the PIVOT group has the ear of a judical body

They are one of several groups submitting briefs to a Parliamentary Subcommittee which is studying the issue.

Pivot Legal Society Report Urges Decriminalization

 

[Ophelia Black]

I'm in the process of deciding to step it up from talking the talk to walking the walk...I've started another thread "Outing Myself" because I think I'd like to go public with this.

It'd be easier for me to do it than most women, so I feel it may be an opportunity to do something to change my city for the better.

It's be scary - but what isn't?

 

[HaywoodJabloemy]

I wrote twice to Cauchon (the previous Justice Minister), without getting a reply. I wrote to Cotler's Montreal office in January, and got a reply from someone there simply saying that they forwarded my letter to Ottawa - where I assume it was also ignored.

However, Cotler does have a "human rights" background, and he praised the Pivot report when making a speech to UBC law students, and said it was time for the 3 levels of government to change the laws to protect sex-trade workers. That sure sounds as though he likes the idea of decriminalization.

I guess the lack of a reaction from the media shows people's attitudes may have changed in Canada. Not long ago any politician backing decriminalization would be called crazy. I guess the examples in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand help show it's a realistic idea. The obvious tolerating and/or licensing of escort agencies, MPs, and incalls also show that the existing laws have become insignificant and must be reformed. And if the laws are declared unconstitutional, the politicians will be forced to make decisions instead of ignoring this matter.