Victoria Banks

OTTAWA - On the streets of Vanier, the life of a prostitute unfolds on the frontlines of fear. It's not something they worry about, it's something each of them has learned to live with. The panic of hopping into a car lessens with each new customer to the point it becomes the way of life for these women. They get roughed up and have weapons pulled on them. Men sometimes renege on their promise to pay for sex -- after they've taken what they want. But when one of them ends up dead -- like 36-year-old Jennifer Stewart did Friday -- it can still hit home. "I have goosebumps right now," said one girl, who we'll identify as Betty. The goosebumps don't last long. Betty will be back out on the streets at nightfall. She's been feeding her drug habit by pulling tricks walking the streets for nearly two decades. She's tiny, but hardened. Pimps trying to control her stopped a long time ago. She knew Stewart and says the mother of four didn't deserve what happened to her. Then she points to bruises still fresh on her legs. She explains after getting into a man's car he pulled a knife on her and she had to jump out the passenger side while it was moving at about 40 kilometres an hour. She said there's also been a man impersonating a cop extorting women to have sex with him for free or he'll turn them in. "It's bad around here right now," she says. Another woman tells the Sun a Vanier prostitute name Kat was found dead at a nearby hotel last week. She was told it may have been ruled an overdose because a needle was found sticking out of her arm. There's another prostitute named Lulu who the girls say just disappeared and no one has heard from her. "Something is happening to our girls. It doesn't look right. Kat wasn't a poker, at least I never saw her do it," she says, meaning the woman inhaled crack cocaine instead of injecting it with a needle. She doesn't know Kat's full name. Others don't either but know who she is. They don't talk about things like that; most are too busy thinking about paying for their next hit to worry about knowing someone's last name or where they grew up. Betty explains the girls all have their territory and they stick to it. It's not uncommon to see girls get into arguments or fights if they go on the wrong turf. "You don't pick up out of your area," she says. There is a rumour on the streets that Stewart may have been killed because she broke the rules. Her body was found on Alice Street, many blocks west from where she worked every night. Some members of her family have heard the same story. "She never went over here," her cousin Melanie Beaupre explains. "She had her own area and was always there." The family tried in vain to get Stewart help to beat her crack addiction a month ago. She turned them down. They know her lifestyle was dangerous but want justice for a woman they say had a heart as big as her problems in life. Police are working the case but no arrests had been made in the city's ninth homicide of the year as of Tuesday afternoon. Police wouldn't comment on the ongoing investigation. [email protected] http://www.lfpress.com/news/canada/2010/08/25/15131631.html

Congrats!! :boobies:

LOL! I am laughing that contagious laugh Seymour !!

I don't mind a beard. I prefer clean shave though. ANYTHING BUT "5 o'clock shadow"/stubble it is very uncomfortable/painful especially during DATY. Which doesn't last long due to the discomfort. Ouch! :sad:

I know how it feels..lol The worst is when I used to have to come down and get my guests to avoid the buzzers. I always felt awkward in the elevator next to the silent uncomfortable couple lol. fml. Additional Comments: You got that right! "No sorry, we don't accept that. Those are like debit cards." :ablow:

I never really kept track.. I think I'm going to start. When I'm looking for trouble .. is pretty good! Like other ladies have said when you go out or aren't available at all the phone rings!!

19 suprise, suprise.

I call housekeeping if I run out or I ask the house keeper for extra towels when the room is being serviced.

I have to disagree the place reflects the person. In some cases maybe. However I have stayed all over .. from the big suites at the hilton lac leamy (500$) to the dreadful econolodge (100$) I don't have a credit card therefore my options are limited and very few hotels will accept a cash deposit. There have been times the only hotels thats will accept a cash deposit are "fully booked" or I can no longer go back to certain hotels because they don't want want me there and the staff is unpleasant and ignorant towards me or give me the third degree. This limits my options and when I get stuck I just go to a motel which accepts a cash deposit. (econolodge - plan F ) it may not be the marriott or the crowne plaza but sometimes I have no choice, it is nerve racking and not my cup of tea but my options are limited. You are coming to see me right and have fun, not the room.

Happy Birthday!! :grin:

YIKES! :lol:

Thanks for sharing Carrie :sm185: **Going to check out the best of CL now .. (lol)

Candy apples!! I like the games and the zipper ..weeeeeeeee (lol)

The National Art Gallery is free on Thursdays after 5pm. There is Sunday cycle on the Rockcliffe Parkway & Ottawa River Parkway if you have a bike or rollerblades. They close the whole parkway off to vechicles for cyclists only between 9am - 1pm until September. You can always go for a walk along the Canal. Heres a link I just found that will give you some ideas: http://www.ottawatourism.ca/en/media/145-free-or-nearly-free-ottawa

Great Idea!!

Travel Own a house

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! :boobies:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! :boobies:

Forest Gump (I cry everytime I watch it, lol) Goodfellas Casino The Godfather Blow Leaving Las Vegas Monster American History X Show Girls Fight Club

Aren't there enough women here on cerb to ask questions about

I think it is called the slap and chop? I know it sells for $19.95 and if you call now you get 2 " Fetticine, Linguine, Martini, Bikini " Does that ring a bell to anyone? And ProActive solution endorsed by celebrities.

I heard about that at the Place D'Orleans Mall like 4 or 5 years back. What a joker.. :roll:

Appetizer kabobs. Little sandwiches.

I'll have some red wine please ;)

This sounds fun.. but shaving usually involves blood.. yikes! :?