A group of Vancouver sex workers seeking to challenge the constitutionality of Canada's sex-trade laws says it will continue its fight despite being handed a defeat in BC Supreme Court Dec 15.
It's a fight for safety, human rights and equality before the law, says the Downtown Eastside Sex Workers United Against Violence Society (SWUAV), which brought the case forward.
Justice William Ehrcke ruled that the Downtown Eastside group will not be permitted to challenge the laws that criminalize them because its members are no longer themselves employed in the sex trade.
The decision — issued just two days before the Dec 17 International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers — is being roundly condemned by sex-trade worker groups and human rights advocates. http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/Court_refuses_to_hear_BC_sex_workers_case-6020.aspxI'm beyond pissed about this. They wouldn't even hear their case? How can we expect to make strides towards rights for all people if they're being dismissed as not even valid?
Sex workers have a right to live free from violence, and the North American laws surrounding sex work make it difficult for them to do that.