The Aboriginal Women's Action Network opposes the legalization of prostitution, and any state regulation of prostitution that entrenches Aboriginal women and children in the so-called "sex trade." We hold that legalizing prostitution in Vancouver will not make it safer for those prostituted, but will merely increase their numbers. Contrary to current media coverage of the issue, the available evidence suggests that it would in fact be harmful, would expand prostitution and would promote trafficking, and would only serve to make prostitution safer and more profitable for the men who exploit and harm prostituted women and children.
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(decriminalization of johns and pimps) In this way prostitution is normalized, johns multiply, and pimps and traffickers become legitimated entrepreneurs. Say "No" to this lack of concern for marginalized women and children, who in this industry are expected to serve simply as objects of consumption! The Aboriginal Women's Action Network opposes the legalization of brothels for the 2010 Olympics. We refuse to be commodities in the so-called "sex industry" or offer up our sisters and daughters to be used as disposable objects for sex tourists.
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A harm-reduction model that claims to help prostituted women by moving them indoors to legal brothels, not only would not reduce the harm to them, but would disguise the real issues. There is no evidence that indoor prostitution is safer for the women involved.
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Given that the vast majority of prostituted women wish to leave prostitution, we should focus on finding ways to help them to do that rather than entrenching them further into prostitution by legalizing and institutionalizing it. Here in Vancouver, if we are to help those most in need, young Aboriginal women, it would help to think more long-term, to focus on healing and prevention. Let's not get tricked into a supposed fix which is not even a band-aid, but only deepens the wounds.
http://tinyurl.com/yfqx68o [1]
Links:
[1] http://tinyurl.com/yfqx68o
[2] http://rabble.ca/print/babble/anti-racism-news-and-initiatives/aboriginal-womens-statement-legal-prostitution-canada-and-wo#comment-1071527
[3] http://rabble.ca/user
[4] http://rabble.ca/user/register
Infosaturated, a couple of days ago Michelle spoke about thread proliferation. you appeared to agree. Styarting a new thread about maybe a different aspect, but basically the same subject does not lead to either good thread management or a good discussion. Please stop. closing this and similar ones, one I'll close for length, and another open thread will serve.
actually, I can see it from both a labour POV and a feminism POV, but not all over the place.