On December 6, 2014, the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act became law in Canada. The Act recognized prostitution as violence and exploitation. It empowers police officers to arrest and charge pimps and johns while recognizing that women are in prostitution as a consequence of sexism, racism and poverty. Police are not to arrest women for being exploited. Since this “Nordic-style” legislation came into force, many police forces across Canada have refocused their resources to target pimps and johns who comprise the demand for prostitution and who are also a primary source of harm to women. However, police in Vancouver seem to be doing nothing to prevent pimping and sex-buying from flourishing in the city.

Here is a link to the new laws. http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/annualstatutes/2014_25/page-1.html

The Vancouver Police Department is still following an out of date (2013) policy that ignores the violence and exploitation experienced by women in prostitution.

http://vancouver.ca/police/assets/pdf/reports-policies/sex-enforcement-guidelines.pdf

Mayor Kennedy Stewart is also the Chair of the Vancouver Police Board, the body that employs and oversees the Vancouver Police Department. Members of the Board “are people who have demonstrated that they can act in the community’s best interest.”

It is not in the community’s interest to let pimps recruit women or girls, it is not in any community’s interest for prostitution customers (johns) to cruise our neighbourhoods looking for women and girls to lure and buy. Kennedy Stewart could fulfill his mandate on the board to provide general direction to this department, in accordance with relevant legislation and in response to community needs, by making prostitution prevention a priority for the Vancouver Police Department. Instead, we fear that officers know arresting pimps and johns is frowned upon by their supervisors.

This is a link to the Vancouver Police Board website. http://vancouver.ca/police/policeboard/Mandate.htm

Let Mayor Stewart, VPD Police Chief Palmer, federal Minister of Justice David Lametti, or your MLA know that there are many of us who know prostitution harms women and that men are exploiting women’s inequality. Prostitution cannot be dismissed as a non-issue. Many of you experience living in a community where pimps and johns affect everyone’s safety.  Let’s tell our city, provincial, and federal authorities we believe it is harmful to our communities when pimps and johns are allowed to operate freely. It is harmful when the Mayor makes empty promises, and it is harmful when police don’t give women the protection that is mandated by Canadian law. 

Contact VPD Chief Palmer requesting that Vancouver Police Department offer women protection of the law by arresting johns and pimps.

When writing public officials, be sure to remember the following guidelines:

• Thank the official for the work he or she is already doing on this issue.
• State that you are writing as a private or concerned citizen.
• Be polite and respectful.
• Date the letter and ask to hear back.

In your own words, express the following things

• The federal Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act., enacted in 2014, is being implemented across the country but not in Vancouver.
• This law recognizes prostitution as exploitation carried out by men who prey on women and youth who are vulnerable because of sexism and inequality.
• The law states that prostitution is harmful, and it is the johns and pimps who causes the harm. It is not the stigma of prostitution but the violence of prostitution itself that causes harm.
• Ask him to give women the protection of the law and arrest johns and pimps.

Join REED in petitioning the government to implement the federal legislation supporting exploited women immediately.

Below are TIPS for writing federal Minister of Justice David Lametti. 

For more info on the law, go to a Facebook REED cohosts at
https://www.facebook.com/events/474594709417366/

How to write a simple letter to federal Minister of Justice:

Contact Jodi Wilson-Raybould asking her to enforce the protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (Bill C-36) throughout British Columbia.

• State that you are concerned citizen.
• Date the letter and ask to hear back.
• In your own words, reference the following things:
• The federal Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act., enacted in 2014, is being implemented across the country but not in the Lower Mainland.
• The law recognizes prostitution as exploitation carried out by men who prey on women and youth who are vulnerable because of sexism and inequality.
• The law states that prostitution is harmful and it is the johns and pimps who causes the harm. It is not the stigma of prostitution but the violence of prostitution itself that causes harm.
• Ask her to give women the protection of the law and arrest johns and pimps.

Remember, mail may be sent postage-free to any member of parliament.
If you and your group do write, please email REED to let them know at www.embracedignity.org

Contact Kennedy Stewart requesting that the City of Vancouver give Vancouver Police Department leadership to offer women protection of the law by arresting johns and pimps.

Ask him to keep his commitment and his promises to end prostitution and exploitation of women and youth by holding johns accountable.

NOTE: A number of personal letters is more effective than a group letter.  If you and a group of your friends do write Mayor Stewart, please let REED know. Email board@embracedignity.org

When writing public officials, be sure to remember the following guidelines:

• Thank the official for the work he or she is already doing on this issue.
• State that you are writing as a private or concerned citizen.
• Be polite and respectful.
• Date the letter and ask to hear back.

In your own words, express the following things

• The federal Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act., enacted in 2014, is being implemented across the country but not in Vancouver.
• This law recognizes prostitution as exploitation carried out by men who prey on women and youth who are vulnerable because of sexism and inequality.
• The previous Mayor signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 2009, which named prostitution as violence against women.
• In 2015, after a meeting with the pope and other leaders, on climate change & modern slavery, he signed a declaration committing to “ending abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of human slavery, which are crimes against humanity, including forced labor and prostitution”.
• Tell him that his predecessor was right that prostitution is harmful, and it is the johns and pimps who causes the harm. It is not the stigma of prostitution but the violence of prostitution itself that causes harm.
• Ask him to give women the protection of the law and arrest johns and pimps.