A prominent advocate for women in Vancouver has mixed feelings about a Supreme Court of Canada ruling letting local sex trade workers challenge the country’s prostitution laws.
“We do see prostitution as violence against women, so criminalizing women in prostitution is against women’s equality and it’s punishing women for being victims of exploitation.”
But Hilla Kerner with ‘Vancouver Rape Relief’ fears sex trade workers will never safe…
“Challenging the prostitution laws, but not challenging the fact that the violence and the harm withing prostitution is done by men, so by striking down prostitution law, we’re basically going to allow men to exploit and buy women –vulnerable women.”
She says that’s why it’s important to provide more funding and support for women at risk of becoming sex trade workers.
B.C.’s Attorney General is not available for comment, but her staff have issued a statement on her behalf.
Shirley Bond claims she’s closely watching federal proceedings, but it’s not appropriate to offer any opinions before the case is resolved by Canada’s highest court.
Bond adds all levels of government are working together to find longterm solutions for protecting women at risk.
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