Jennifer Blatherwick, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity, has released the following statement in recognition of the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers:
“This day, also known as Red Umbrella Day, was founded by sex workers and community advocates to call for an end to hate crimes and violence against sex workers worldwide.
“This is a call to action for all of us to advocate for the dignity, safety and well-being of sex workers everywhere.
“Everyone has the right to be respected and to live and work free from violence. And yet, too often sex workers face disproportionate levels of violence and marginalization, fuelled by harmful stereotypes that disregard their very humanity and their rights.
“Indigenous people, racialized people, newcomers and those who are undocumented, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, as well as those with disabilities, who work as sex workers face a greater risk of being targeted.
“That’s why, in B.C., we have provided funding to support a provincially integrated BC Bad Date and Aggressor Reporting system. This system will help sex workers to anonymously share reports with each other throughout B.C. about bad dates and help keep each other safe.
“Through the collaboration of Living in Community, PACE Society, PEERS Resource Society, SWAN Vancouver and WISH Drop-In Centre Society, the bad date reporting system will help fill an urgent need to improve safety, including in more remote areas.
“Stigma and the criminalization of sex work may also contribute to barriers to reporting assaults to the police, for fear of not being taken seriously or being arrested. This is something we must change.
“We need to come together to lift up the voices of those with lived experience and to address the critical issues that impact the most vulnerable people in our communities.
“I join sex workers, their families, friends and allies in calling for an end to violence fuelled by the hatred, stigma and discrimination that remains all too prevalent in communities throughout the world.”
Learn More:
To learn about Bad Date & Aggressor Reporting program (BC BDAR), visit: https://bcbdar.org/