Prostitution News

Debate over prostitution heats up
CKNW, (June 19, 2005).

VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980) - While a
Parliamentary Sub-committee continues studying
proposed changes to Canada's prostitution laws,
a women's advocate in Vancouver is hoping Ottawa
will learn from examples set by Sweden.

In that country, several training programs are
available to help women get out of prostitution.
They also have more access to welfare.

Suzanne Jay with the Vancouver Rape Relief and
Women's Centre agrees prostitution should be
de-criminalized, but the men buying and selling it
should still be punished, "By making sure that
there's a guaranteed livable income that's available
universally across Canada, we're making sure that
women don't have to prostitute. We have a pretty
good tradition of not selling blood or body
parts and I think that we should veer away
from selling human beings."

The Federal report on proposed changes to current
prostitution laws could be released in September.
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Right on Ms. Jay.
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Prostitutes meet for forum in Vancouver
CKNW, (June 17, 2005).

VANCOUVER/CKN(AM980) - Former and current
sex trade workers are gathering in Vancouver this
weekend as part of their effort to draw attention to
their concerns.

Law reform and services for sex trade workers are
high up on the agenda of the Canadian National Coalition
of Experiential Women.

The group's national co-coordinator Cherry Kingsley
says it's their third such meeting, and first in Vancouver.

The meeting also comes shortly after police in Edmonton
announced for the first time a serial killer is suspected
in the murders of several prostitutes.

The group hosts a public forum on Sunday.
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International Centre to Combat Exploitation of
Children

The purchase and use of the body of a child for sexual
gratification is an abominable act and a desecration of
the human spirit. We must all do what we can to reduce
this deplorable practice.
~ Senator Landon Pearson

ICCEC is a bridge between survivors and those who can
help end the commercial sexual exploitation of children
(CSEC). Our work includes advocacy, coalition building,
curriculum development, speaking engagements and
research. We are registered in Canada as a non-profit
organization. An international volunteer board of
directors and a small staff carry out our operations.
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COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF
CHILDREN
Canadian Association of Police Boards.

Guest Speaker:
Ms. Cherry Kingsley, Special Advisor, International
Centre to Combat Exploitation of Children and
National Coordinator- Canadian National Coalition of
Experiential Women.

Historically, both the public and police have
viewed women and children associated with
the sex trade as criminal, liable, nuisances,
and even disposable. Government policies,
legislation and community attitudes can at
times keep them voiceless, invisible and
impoverished, without rights and opportuni-
ties or even choice as to whether they remain
in the sex trade or whether they survive.
They are not only vulnerable, but are targets
of violence, rape, slavery and perhaps most
damaging of all, exclusion.

Ms. Kingsley noted there are four isolating
factors facing children and youth in the sex trade:

1) Age - it is easier to manipulate and lie to someone
who is young and small;
2) Laws - that marginalize children and youth;
3) Market - some individuals want to buy young
people for many reasons; a lack of diseases such as
AIDS is one.
4) Poverty, homelessness and abuse make young
people vulnerable.
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Retirement Home for Elder Sex Workers
Downtown Eastside: Underbelly News.
Jamie Lee Hamilton. Originally in 24 Hours.ca

Mexico City - In Mexico City's colonial downtown,
women whose ages range from 60 to 85 offer sex
in exchange for a few pesos or a bite to eat. They
live on the street. Dusty sheets of cardboard are
their beds.

Ostracised by society, rejected by their families
and with no place to spend their final years, they
are forced to continue to practise their profession.

But hope for a better life is beginning to crystallise.
In the coming months, 60 of these elderly prostitutes
will move into an 18th-century building donated by
the local government and located in San Jacinto
square in the heart of Mexico City.