Susie

so fucked up!!!

these people are our opposition and do not care if they hurt women to save women. they are so well funded its almost impossible to keep up with them. they are extremely dangerous and many of the places they visit experience raids right after with police looking for "trafficked underage girls"....if you are in TO go down their and call them on their shit. ask them where their plans are to support exiting sex workers, or plans for our so called "decriminalization" under the swedish model. what by-law structure do they propose? how will they help decriminalized workers work more safely? after all they want to protect us...how do they plan to do that? i mean beyond making our bosses and customers into villans. what practical things do they propose for their ideas? these people have the ear of the prime minister, we must call them on their shit!!! STOP Human Trafficking...BUYING SEX IS NOT A SPORT As our nation is getting excited about the Olympic Games approaching in February 2010, many people are grieving the horrors that will take place during the 2010 Games. Large sporting events attract human traffickers, as they know there will be great opportunities to make huge money from (mainly) men who buy sex. I have been contracted to organize a panel discussion that will address how buying sex supports human trafficking, and the reality of what takes places to prostituted women and children. I want to personally invite you to come to one of the panels, this is a HUGE injustice in our world, and it is time that we become aware of, as Artist and Director Justin Dillon states, the "world's 27 million darkest secrets." Human Trafficking is the fastest growing crime on the planet today, and our nation, Canada needs to be a leader and an example to the world to join the movement to STOP Human Trafficking and the exploitation of people around the world. This is not a Christian issue, a Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Hindu, Agnostic, or Atheist issue, it is not a black or white issue, nor is it a conservative or liberal, Canadian or Indian issue, this is not just a male or female issue...this is GLOBAL HUMAN ISSUE, and if you happen to fall in that category, it should demand your attention; but further it should compel our hearts, minds and souls to learn more and take action against this injustice. I urge you to come to the panel January 30th and/or February 1st at 8pm. As a nation, it is my heart to see Canadians take a firm stance to tell the world that Canada will not tolerate the sexual exploitation against women and children. *There are 27 million people in slavery today, (the current population of canada is 33.3 million people) *70% of people trafficked are for the purpose of sexual exploitation. *80% are women and children. I believe that the abolition of slavery can end within 25 years, but it will require millions of voices to unite together on this issue. I invite you to come to hear why we need your voice! TWO PANELS: ONE CAUSE! ON THE PANEL: MICHELLE MILLER DIRECTOR OF REED: is the founder and Director of Resist Exploitation, Embrace Dignity (REED), a faith-based organization that works with trafficked women and seeks to end sexual exploitation. For over ten years she has been standing in solidarity and struggle with women who have been sexually exploited and trafficked into the sex industry both in Vancouver and the Philippines. JANINE BENEDET: LAW PROFESSOR AT THE FACULTY OF LAW, UBC: She researches, teaches and writes about male violence against women and the law, including sexual assault, prostitution, pornography and sexual harassment in employment and education. She is a frequent lecturer on sex equality law and continues to explore how law can be used to oppose the sexual exploitation of women and girls around the world in pornography and prostitution. TRISHA BAPTIE DIRECTOR OF EVE: is the Director of Honour Ministries and Consulting and a founding member of EVE (formerly Exploited Voices now Educating), a group of former sex industry women who challenge the idea of sex as ?work?. In 2008 she received the Courage to Come Back Award for her role in covering the Robert Pickton trial from her perspective as an experiential woman. CHERRY SMILEY AWAN: * special guest: Cherry Smiley from AWAN (Aboriginal Women?s Action Network) *WITH OTHER SPECIAL GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE! SATURDAY JANUARY 30 8PM | WALMER ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH | 188 LOWTHER AVENUE.TORONTO MONDAY FEBRUARY 1 8PM | UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO.HEALTH SCIENCES BUILDING | 155 COLLEGE STREET. 6TH FLOOR. ROOM 610

i'm glad people approve!it was a big decision for this guy to come out. i hope that as these conversations take place more and more we will begin to break down the stigma around being a sex worker or consumer. it;s probably a long way off, but at least if the mainstream community are aware of the truth about us, it may influence future policies that can affect our safety. a woman from calgary contacted me and it seems another round of research with sex consumers is coming our way. she seemed to be a supporter butthem discussed facilitating a sex addiction counselling group...? i stated that i wasn't sure that information from people considering themselves sex addicts would generate clear data on exactly "who" sex consumers are and "where they come from"....? she dropped some big names in research but we'll see... scary times for us all. these next years will determine all of fates and will decide if business owners and clients are to made more criminal and the focus of enforcement. love susieXXXO

john's voice on the current, great article above. this side is never discussed enough. all we hear is all hobbiests are evil http://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/current_20100111_25612.mp3 let me know what you think!! hope everyone had a nice holiday! love susieXXXO:boobies:

this explains alot.....fuckin exclusionist bull shit. they will use tthis to mess with people in all kinds of ways.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2009/11/26/crack-house-bill963.html Crack house bill debated Last Updated: Thursday, November 26, 2009 | 8:19 AM ET Comments12Recommend13 CBC News The Ontario legislature is debating a private member's bill designed to help shut down crack houses and brothels. The proposed safer communities and neighbourhood act lowers the burden of proof required for the courts to act against drug dealing or running a brothel. Neighbours would be able to give anonymous testimony, and if a judge is persuaded that a property is most likely being used for crime, the occupants could be evicted. A judge would also be able close a property for up to 90 days or evict individual tenants "Innocent people are being targeted by those who are engaged in illicit drug trade and ? the sole purpose behind this legislation is to ensure that we protect the vulnerable," said the author of the bill, Liberal Yasir Naqvi. The bill passed second reading in October, and is now being considered by a legislative committee. Cheri DiNovo, the NDP member for Toronto's Parkdale-High Park riding, is vowing to stop the bill, which she says violates tenants' rights and unfairly targets the most vulnerable. 'Criminals don't target rich neighbourhoods' But Naqvi, who represents the Ottawa Centre riding, disagrees, saying the bill protects the disadvantaged. "Criminals don't target rich neighbourhoods, they operate in poor neighbourhoods, and those poor people also have the right to live in a safe and healthy community and that's what this legislation is trying to do," he said. Patricia Gora lives on a street with a reputed crack house in DiNovo's Parkdale riding. "If there's a supposed crack house here and those people are found and they're thrown out of their homes, well, where will they go next?" she said. Else-Marie Knudsen, a spokeswoman for the John Howard Society of Toronto, a group that advocates for the rights of those in trouble with the law, dismisses the bill as being ineffective at preventing crime. "The crime is simply displaced. It moves on to another street, another neighbourhood, another community, for someone else to deal with," she said. Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta already have similar laws. Supporters of the bill in Manitoba have credited it with cleaning up parts of Winnipeg.

this guy is a moron!i notice he didn't even mention me...i threatened them with a human rights complaint so he'd better not!!!jerk!!

it was awesome! i spoke i annie temple's place, she wasn't feeling well!!there were probably 100 people there, dr.john lowman(sfu), professor becky ross(ubc) when the AWAN rape relifers tried to say "where are the women of colour", a bccec member of colour stood up and explained she was the founder of the BCCEC and how we, in general do not racialize ourselves in terms of sex worker rights. the woman was so mad, she left!!yes....and then the crazy old lady wagging her finger calling young men who had experienced sexual trauma as children deviants...what a weirdo....she kept moving closer and closer to the panel. and the "reformed trick" yelling about immigration canada being the biggest pimp in the nation....god! and of course, always,still..... the olympic brothel bullshit. i can't believe how long this shit is gong on!!oh well, i don't think they thought we would stick it out, think they thought we would give up. at least another large group of people now know the truth about the coop and our plans. it felt really good to speak again, it's been awhile. i guess the feminism forum wars on babble have kept me sharp. 2 abolitionists were banned from the site because of publically attcking me.it's like a thousand posts or something, i may print it off just to look at it in terms of paper. love susieXXXO ps-hi cookies!!:bowdown:

trafficking myths are the biggest threat to our industry presently. i read an estimated 40,000 wome and childrena re to trafficked i vancouver during the games....yeah right! i love that story from the UK and am ging to use it in the Sally Ann meeting coming up. if you remember they are fundraising to "fight trafficking".....morons.....

yay!!it's finally done!thankyou again to everyone who took part!!!for those who do not remember this will be foundation of our industry association the terms of which were discussed here on cerb. to see those plans again in detail go to www.wccsip.ca . please feel free to add your knowledge and expertise!! http://www.tradesecretsguide.blogspot.com/ love susie

Sub-sections (h) No person carrying on the business of a body rub parlor shall practice or provide or permit the practice or provision therein of a therapeutic touch technique or advertise in any way that a therapeutic touch technique is available or being practiced on the premises. Proposed BCCEW/C Revision We note that supporting this definition as the ?license of choice? provides a clear definition between therapeutic massage and ?body rub? parlor thereby eliminating the confusion that arises around these two terms and allowing consumers clear options as far as legal and safe ways to access the industry. 6. Governance of Clubs within the City of Vancouver By-Law 2647 Section 13 It shall be unlawful for the manager of any Club within the City to knowingly suffer or permit any prostitute or person evil repute to enter or remain upon the club premises. Proposed BCCEW/C Revision This section reflects discriminatory attitudes about sex workers which greatly contributes to their stigmatization and marginalization. We ask that this section be removed. 7. By-law 5156 A by-law to prohibit the carrying on of sundry businesses, trades, professions and other occupations; 1.?nude encounters?- or synonymous word or phrase 2.?out call? body massage service 3.?erotic telephone call? service Proposed BCCEW/C Revision Since such businesses operate freely and openly in Vancouver, we request that this section be removed. Conclusion Under the Vancouver Charter, Section 202 (a), the City Council ?may provide for social planning to be undertaken including research, analysis and coordination relating to social needs, social well-being, and social development in the City.? The Coalition respectfully requests that Council consider the spirit of this section of the City?s Charter when making its final decisions regarding the proposed revisions.

2. Criminal Record Check Requirement Although the reasons for criminal record checks are obvious, the Coalition?s view is that convictions under criminal code sections related to prostitution (sections 211,212, and 213) shouldn?t automatically exclude sex workers from obtaining an escort license. This is especially so given that those with prior convictions are prevented from working in less harmful indoor venues leaving them with no choice other than to work in the far more hazardous street-based trade. We note here that obtaining a federal criminal pardon can take up to seven years and, in our experience, the Vancouver Police Department does not always chose to acknowledge such pardons. Proposed BCCEW/C Revision The Coalition requests a community-based consultation on these issues and, ideally, some level of shared decision-making with regard to who is able to apply for and obtain a social escort service and/or individual license. In seeking this, we are in no way advocating a ?carte blanche? approach to licensing but rather we seek an opportunity for controlled community-based vetting in situations where such an approach is warranted. 3. Steam Bath/Massage Parlor By-laws: 4782, 6038, 6646 Licensing Fees Current fees: New license: $272, Renewal: $222 Proposed BCCEW/C Revision We request that the fees be lowered to bring them in line with fees required of other similar businesses (e.g. hair salon: New license: $254, Renewal: $204). Sub-section (a) No person owning, keeping, maintaining, or operating any bath, steam bath or massage parlor shall allow or permit any person of the male sex to act therein as an attendant or employee in respect of any person customer or patron of the female sex; or allow or permit any person of the female sex to act as an attendant or employee in respect of any person, customer or patron of the male sex; nor shall any person owning, keeping, maintaining or operating bath, steam bath or massage parlor attend, treat or serve any person, customer or patron thereof of the opposite sex. Proposed BCCEW/C Revision We ask that this section be removed as it is obsolete. Today, male and female masseuses routinely massage clients of the opposite sex. Sub-section (b) Every person owning, keeping, maintaining or operating and bath, steam bath or massage parlor shall provide and keep therein a written and legible record in journal form of all person?s using the facilities of said bath steam bath or massage parlor to record his or her name and address together with the date and time of registration in such register; Proposed BCCEW/C Revision We request that these records be considered confidential unless proof of a threat to the life and/or safety of an individual is provided. Sub-section © No person owning, keeping, maintaining or operating a steam bath shall allow persons of the opposite sex to occupy the same room or adjoining rooms with an inter-communicating door or which have doors opening into a common steam room. Provided, however, that a person may maintain a steam bath a family room intended to be occupied and occupied by members of the same family, if such a room is closed off from the rest of the steam bath by a door. Proposed BCCEW/C Revision This section is obsolete and does not in any way reflect current business practices. It is also open to misuse by individuals who may feel a need to disrupt a business of which they do not approve. Sub-section (d) Every person owning, keeping, maintaining or operating a bath, steam bath or massage parlor shall ensure that the interior of the premises is at all times during business hours illuminated to a minimum of ten foot candles in every part thereof. Proposed BCCEW/C Revision This section should be revised to reflect current codes and language. 4. Health Enhancement Centre By-laws 6830, 7052 Sub-section (a) The Inspector shall not issue a license for a health enhancement centre unless satisfied that the applicant for the license or an officer of the applicant demonstrates a knowledge and understanding of the art and practice of reflexology, Shiatsu, bio-kinesiology, hellework, polarity, reiki, rolfing, the trager approach, or any other therapeutic technique, and the Inspector may in that regard require the applicant or officer to take and pass an examination. Proposed BCCEW/C Revision While some services licensed under these by-laws do have the ability to require that staff enroll in training that leads to certification, due to the criminalized nature of sex work, sex workers do not have an option to acquire certification. At the same time, this is the business license that sex workers would most prefer to operate under (as long as no additional restrictions or increased enforcement occurs). Given this, the Coalition requests that the City consult with the community to develop an approach that addresses the issue of demonstrated knowledge/experience.. Sub-section (b) All persons carrying on the business of a health enhancement centre shall ensure that all persons hired to administer a therapeutic touch technique are qualified in that respect and have not been convicted of an offence under sections 212 or 213 of the criminal code. Proposed BCCEW/C Revision This section prevents sex workers, including even those who have exited from the trade, from gaining access to employment in these types of businesses. It presents yet another example of how the most vulnerable sex workers are shamed and cast out of the larger community. We ask that this section be removed.

just to be clear, decrim does not mean no rules and carte blanche for pimps and traffickers, that is rhetoric from abolitionist groups. decrim means an industry which is subject to labor laws, work place inspections and government standards as is any other industry, men die as loggers, fishermen,miners, truckers, oil drillers.....you don't see it being made criminal to employ these workers because they may die on the job..... the point of decrim, is to no longer be considered a criminal. but to be recognized as a legitimate industry and as legitimate employment complete with all the protections awarded to other canadian workers ad business owners. if a guy owns a mine and enslaves children to work there paying them nothing or next to nothing and risking their safety by not implementing and safety protocols or offering and training, he is closed down and charged. no special seperate criminal laws are needed. being seperated in the criminal code contributes to perceptions of violence against sex workers as less, unimportant, different. in order to achieve equality in the eyes of the law and government, being decriminalized is paramount, in new zealand there are codes and standards, condom use is law. it is not carte balnch to open brothels and traffick women and children or a free for all for pimps. it isn't. industry codes and standards for laborers are the foundation of new zealands model and we are working towrds the same here. transparency and accountibility in and for the sex industry.

we do not want it decrimed completely.....all industries are subject to inspections and regulations so shall we be. labor laws are sifficient to deal with any arising issues. we are not criminals do not want to be includied in the criminal code.\ there are not seperate provisions for killing a nurse for instance. it is accepted that all people are protected by murder, kidnapping, trafficking, and exploitation provisions in the criminal code. so should we be. all industries have codes and standards, we are not expecting special treatment just equal, decriminalized treatment. in vancouver we have revised the esocting /health enancement center by laws and as a result of a motion put forth by council directing city staff to work with us, we will be seeing our demands realized. in the next few months we will engage in an inclusive negotiation to define city by laws here in vancouver that move away from punishment and towards inclusion. we are also asking for a sex industry working group/ review board. Regional/ Municipal Government Review Board- The sex industry is a matter of concern for all members of Canadian Society. To ensure transparency and accountability in the sex industry the CAEC propose the formation of a review committee to represent the interests of society at large. The CAEC feel that if representatives from criminal justice, health, government and a sex industry community member were to audit and monitor the activities of the CAEC, we will achieve transparency and accountability for within the sex industry. To ensure transparency and to prevent abuse of Industry Association benefits, CAEC members support the formation of a Regional Government Review Board to ensure ethical industry practices are upheld and the ideals of Canadian Society respected. All CAEC locals and members will allow free access to membership information and proposed activities by the Regional Government Review Board. To abolish exploitation of youth or any person forced to engage in or trafficked into the sex industry Propsed terms of reference for sex industry working groups, review boards,...any ideas on names would be appreciated.... Vision to bring together all stakeholders for the purpose of auditing and monitoring activites in the sex industry to create and inclusive process for license application approval and renewal to mobilze government response where required to dangerous or exploitative conditions in the sex industry. to hear complaints from parties engaged in the sex industry and where necessary mediate disputes. to examine propsoed changes to government policies and procedures as related to sex industry workers to ensure harm reduction frame works remain at the forefront. to ensure balanced approaches to any enforcement actions to be taken against the sex industry in particular involving legal and legitimate businesses opertaing in the sex industry. to ensure the principles of the greater public outside of the sex industry are respected. to hear complaints from the greater public in relation to the sex industry or sex industry businesses and where necessary to mediate disputes. Guiding principles Work towards safety and respect for all sex industry stakeholders regardless of their location within the industry; work towards the eradication of exploitation within the sex industry in particular where youth or trafficked persons are concerned Ensure the inclusion of diverse communities, perspectives, capacities and expertise within the makeup of working group members; Promote progressive thought, forward thinking, and continual positive exchange for the empowerment and education of sex industry stakeholders and the community at large; Keep harm reduction frameworks at the forefront and work toward social justice and social change to increase quality of life for sex industry workers. Membership all levels of government criminal justice/police health department representatives sex industry support services sex industry workers mainstream community outside of sex industry representatives Group numbers i would suggest it be a relatively large group- 16 members? in order to ensure no one group capitolizs on the work of the group. sub committees could take on various tasks individually and report back to the larger group. minutes would be made public- other than information related the identities of sex industry workers- unless as described above in the case of proof of threat to life or safety of a person. any comments or ideas? anyway, our idea is to have input into governance of the sex ndustry and to have some say in any enforcement actions or procedures/practices which may harm sex industry community members including targeted enforcement against long standing ethical business owners being unfairly scrutinized as a result of the nature of the business, legal and legitimate or not. in vancouver. after 6 years on committees, there is an understnading that closing sex industry businesses is forcing workers onto the street. that is not to say carte blanch for brothels here but it is to say that those who qualify- no criminal sexual charges- not a pedophile-trafficker- will be supported in opening a business and not given barrier after barrier as was the case at the drake show loung for instance. voted best place in BC to work by the dancers themselves, was targeted by police as a gathering place for "organized crime" and raided over and over. $700,000.00 invested in renovations and still the city refused to issue the license. in my opinion sex industry community members all over the country should get together and unify against the "by law"threat. the benefits of inclusion are easy to demonstrate and we will share all of our materials and experiences with any one who wishes to take it on. WeSwear in winnipeg are up and coming and great groups like power, stella, maggies, spoc already exist. take control of the situation. be calm but un yielding. call your member of parliament over and over until you get a response, go as a delegation to the police board over and over until they are forced to sit down with you. as i said any one who wants to begin this process, now is the time- before the laws fall, to lay the foundation for inclusion during the time after they do fall. then you will be included in any decisions that may impact your safety and stability. love susieXXXO

http://www.facebook.com/pages/FIRST-Decriminalize-Sex-Work-Now/186804681196?v=info#/event.php?eid=166605494583&index=1 i will be there!!so come on up and say hi!! these will be the first presentations on both projects!thanks again to all the workers who took part and to all the pooners too!!!we rock!!these initiatives will go a long way towards our gaining control of our collective destinies!!! thank you all! love susieXXXO Sex Workers, Clients and the Law Host:FIRST: Decriminalize Sex Work Now! Type:Education - Lecture Network:Global Date:Monday, November 23, 2009 Time:6:30pm - 9:00pm Location:Vancouver Public Library, 350 W. Georgia, Alma Van Dusen & Peter Kay rooms Description One proposed "solution" to Canada's antiquated and oppressive prostitution laws is to make it illegal to purchase sex, but legal to sell it. However, this model is failing in Sweden, the country that pioneered it. Sweden's law was expected to reduce the number of sex workers in that country, but very few sex workers have stopped working. While many simply adjusted to the law by choosing to work indoors, some were forced to work underground in isolation, where they are far more vulnerable to violence and abuse. As in Sweden, Canada?s current prostitution law robs sex workers of their livelihood, and deprives them of the right to control their work environment and create safe and empowering working conditions. Moderated by Madam Scarlett Lake, the forum will provide the public with an opportunity to learn about the men who buy sex, the experiences of sex workers with their clients, and why neither sex workers nor their clients should be criminalized. Presentations: Video (10 mins): "A Swedish sex worker on the criminalization of clients" (Pye Jacobssen) Speaker Panel: - Chris Atchison, Dept of Sociology and Anthropology, Simon Fraser University. Topic: "John's Voice" - Trina Ricketts, BC Coalition of Experiential Communities; Naked Truth (nakedtruth.ca). Topic: "Trade Secrets" (results of her interviews with clients and sex workers) - Jody Salerno, BC/Yukon Society of Transition Houses. Topic: "The clients who paid me" - Katrina Pacey, Pivot Legal Society. Topic: "Why Decriminalize Prostitution?"

from what i have been told the decision will come in january or february....in case people don't remember, i testified in the challenge and so receive updates...i will keep everyone informed if i hear anything new... love susie

i totally understand about the abolitionists hatred and not getting into the mix!! thanks you guys for all your support!! i would like to say, i don't support mandatory testing as it has been tried and failed before. it plays into the tired old steroe types of sex workers as the vector of disease. the only way mandatory testing would work is if the entire population was tested. it is a violation of our human rights to impose mandatory testing only on sex workers not everyone else as well. all people are to be treated equally...article one of the international charter of human rights. in new zealand, condom use is law. i support that.the onus is on the man and seeking unprotected services will get you a hefty fine.

Ok, so for the last few months I have been battling on out with some abolitionists on a heavy hitting union website called rabble.ca. The forum is called babble.ca and is where these debates have been playing out. So, after some times, the website moderators added a new forum topic, sex workers rights.YAY!! they made space for us!!! It may have to be changed to sex industry forum as the abolitionists are up in arms and they now refer to sex workers as ?prostituted people?. It?s crazy. Also, it?s been playing out in the feminism and labour forums As things have progressed some good ideas have emerged for instance- a sex industry review board. All industries are subject to regulation and so will we be. Some bad points are people calling for mandatory STI testing for consumers and workers?you should see the stuff the say about the men?.dang it. If any of you would care to jump in and add your voices I would sure appreciate a little back up. Lee Lakeman and Trisha Baptie have shown up and are completely opposite to decrim-they are from Vancouver rape relief and are the same people who always attack me when I speak publicly. Also, I am really only expressing my voice and wouldn?t want to presume to know or ?represent? any one else?s opinions on all this. I do represent some numbers in projects and research I have coordinated but?.. http://www.rabble.ca/babble/walking-talk/feminism this is the link, check it out. I know it doesn?t seem important but if you look at the sponsoring members of the site?. any help at all would be appreciated?.