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Legalized Indoor Sex Work
I am for this proposal. I was talking to a guy on the sky train tonight and after inviting him to quiz me, he asked about prostitution. We both came to the agreement that prostitution needs to be moved off the streets for the reasons that it's far safer. Not only with physical violence but also to help control the spread of diseases by offering free and regular testing.
I mentioned that I heard in Germany prostitution was legal and after doing some quick research I just found that
“The new legislation has created a lot of changes since 2002. Women are no longer stigmatized the way they once were. They can go to a judge if they don’t get the money [from a client]. In the past that was not possible.”
When he asked me what I was going to do about prostitution on the streets, I said it should not have to be a womans last resort to survive, if they already had their bills paid and chose to for whatever reason, then it's fine but not when they are forced to. There is a serious problem with poverty and it doesn't make sense that politicians are making a ridiculous amount of cash when they aren't doing a ridiculous amount to help people. Minimum wage must be raised and these women should be helped to do what they wanted to do with their lives. I'm sure none of these women wanted to sell themselves when they were younger, if anything, they probably would have rather help people who are in such a vulnerable situation. They need to be helped out of poverty that forces them into this lifestyle and given the opportunity to realize their life dreams.
If elected, then yes I would vote to repeal the current bylaw prohibitions against indoor sex work, and pass a new bylaw authorizing indoor sex work in areas zoned for other types of professional touch.
Peace, Joe Hatoum
In reply to
Dear Candidate:
We area a committee of electors concerned with the welfare of sex workers in Vancouver.
We write to determine your position on an important issue in Vancouver: the City's bylaws prohibiting indoor sex work. As a result, the City cannot grant a business license to a sex worker and cannot allow the use of commercial premises for such work.
As you know, Vancouver is about to become the focus of unwanted international media attention as the trial begins of an alleged mass murderer of Vancouver street prostitutes. Vancouver laws prohibiting any form of indoor sex work contribute to the tragic plight of sex workers on the street.
An amendment to city bylaws allowing sex work in commercial zones where other touch professionals are allowed to work is an important first step in benefiting sex workers, both practically and symbolically.
On a practical level it would remove a key legal barrier to bringing sex work indoors where it is far safer than the street. On a symbolic level it would communicate to the community that sex workers deserve the same rights and respect as any other worker.
Please advise whether, if elected, you would vote to repeal the current
bylaw prohibitions against indoor sex work, and pass a new bylaw
authorizing indoor sex work in areas zoned for other types of professional
touch.
Please let us know your position, for or against, this proposal. We believe that a healthy democracy requires such disclosure so that electors can make a fully informed choice.
Thank your for your cooperation.
Social Justice Vancouver |
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