Ottawa prostitutes living in fear

[Victoria Banks 21899]

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

[PistolPete 61421]

Thanks Sin, for the news link, I have been following the story since her death. It was a shame that she did not take her families offering to seek help for her addiction, now her family has to deal with a loss of a loved one.

[Cowboy kenny 50799]

This story is very disturbing given the fact that two women are dead and another missing, these women are daughters, sisters and mothers, they walk the streets of vanier out of necessity not by choice. They just need a helping hand to fight their addictions but their judgment is clouded by the drugs and lack of trust that has over taken them after having to survive the mean streets. I hope they find the girl who's gone missing, maybe she's been able to turn her life around, one can only hope.

[tiffanylane 107]

this is just horrible.. thanks so much for posting this.. this is pickten all over again.. i really hope the ottawa police handle this quickly ,, i really dont understand why when drugs are linked to these women death people turn a blind eye, these women have hearts and souls and i totally agree are our moms daughers sisters..

 

i send love too all those involded and hope every lady just is a lil more careful and always go with your gut if something doesnt seem right about a call its not... always better safe then sorry!

 

 

xoxo sweet kisses

 

tiffany Lane

[Meg O'Ryan 266444]

Tiffany...you are so right...as soon as drugs are mentioned everyone turns a blind/ignorant eye to the situation. This is an addiction which means that it is not easily controlled (at this point) without intervention! These ladies are in dire need of assistance and yet they are outcasts, immoral, sub-human; according to the masses. While I am easily one of the majority that casts an evil eye when travelling that section of the city; I am honest enough to admit that perhaps aid instead of persecution would better their lives and our community (as in the escort community).

The vast majority of citizens who do not understand our side of things, believe that we are all low life crack ho's dependent on pimps, drugs and running the streets. While I sympathize with the women caught up in this lifestyle, I also have a lot of anger, as their actions have tainted a respectable and necessary profession!

Sorry...I am running into a rant now aren't I? I heard a comment today that made this thread all too prevelant in my life. I met with someone who was shocked a) at my location, b) at my attire, c) at the fact that I wasn't skanky, d) that I could hold a conversation....stereotypes that are totally unwarranted and ignorant!

Enough...enough I said!

[ekimout 188]

It's a terrible situation. Hopefully the police can make some arrests soon. The girls/women that are out there are so vulnerable. The drugs have taken over their lives. They are not in a position to make rational decisions and therefore take much risk.

 

I have noticed the media has been reporting more on the issues of substance abuse, prostitution, dealers, and the crimes involved. There seems to be a more conscious effort to bring some of these problems into the public light from both the police and media. Education is the key; hopefully a sensible public debate can take place at some point moving towards solutions. But unfortunately, I fear the public appetite for such debate is nonexistent at the moment.

[PistolPete 61421]

Education is the key; hopefully a sensible public debate can take place at some point moving towards solutions. But unfortunately, I fear the public appetite for such debate is nonexistent at the moment.

 

They have tried that numerous times in that area,and they still continually to do so by some Education. The public in the Vanier area are and have been up in arms "As to say now what? who is going to help with this situation? " Local city politicians need to get off their collective ASSES and get the problem solved to help these young women out.

 

There is not near enough city assistance! We can put in all these huge block stores that generate huge amounts of tax dollars but they cannot give fuck all back to the community!

 

Local politicians can take a long hard kiss on my fucking ASS!:butt:

Anyone reading this- MAKE SURE YOU VOTE when the elections come up this fall!

[Meg O'Ryan 266444]

Education.....funny thing! You can't force education on ANYONE but you can force institutionalized rehabilitation. Perhaps expensive but then again, perhaps the only cure? If the likes of Lindsay Lohan can be sent to rehab...I think the poor souls that took the wrong road and ended up on .the street should not be the exception. Don't get me wrong, I am certainly not a bleeding heart but I do believe that drastic measures are the only solution. Talking and "rescuing" have so far not had any effect!

[LuxeMulvari 65764]

The vast majority of citizens who do not understand our side of things, believe that we are all low life crack ho's dependent on pimps, drugs and running the streets. While I sympathize with the women caught up in this lifestyle, I also have a lot of anger, as their actions have tainted a respectable and necessary profession!

 

I totally agree with this. One my best friends had an aunt who walked the streets of Detroit back in the 70's. She told me before crack, it was respectable to walk the streets, you were seen as women of the night who hung out in disco's and wore furs and spent a little fun time with gentlemen, with only the best of the best of everything.

 

Those women were classy and were treated with respect because the demanded it. Most had pimps but it was a business venture, they would open beauty shops and retire with their money. It was a good way to make it in world that's hard to, and make it in style.

 

Then the 80's came and crack hit. Sure the girls would do the occasional line before, and they figured it was just the new thing. They had no idea what they were dealing with. The new girls coming in were doing this stuff also.

 

Crack had never existed before, so no one new what horrible effects it had.

 

Before anyone new it, they were hooked and would do anything to get the next hit.All the money was spent on dope, and all standards dropped as desperation grew.

 

Over the next 20 years, people forgot the beautiful ladies in their furs and the image of a working girl became that of the drug-addicted crack hoe.

 

When someone says prostitute, the image that come s to the majority of society's mind i not that of a classy lady with lots of gold ring and jewelry with sharp clothing and long red nails, its of a dirty woman leaning against a lamp post, short slutty dress and thigh highs a la pretty woman.

 

The crack heads have turned our upstanding profession into a joke. There's a reason that we get stupid guys asking for 80$ service..it because the dope fiend offer it...women like them make it hard for women like us.

Thay have turned our art into a joke. The ladies of yesteryear would be turning in their graves.

 

My friend aunt is the leading psychologist at a major Canadian hospital now....she still wear her heels, her rings and has long red nails..although she is in a pantsuit now lol. A true courtesan until the end.

[Parker 19761]

Education.....funny thing! You can't force education on ANYONE but you can force institutionalized rehabilitation. Perhaps expensive but then again, perhaps the only cure? If the likes of Lindsay Lohan can be sent to rehab...I think the poor souls that took the wrong road and ended up on .the street should not be the exception. Don't get me wrong, I am certainly not a bleeding heart but I do believe that drastic measures are the only solution. Talking and "rescuing" have so far not had any effect!

 

 

Education isn't the only thing you can't force on people though.

 

50% of people who willingly enter rehab go back to drugs. Any program that says their rate is higher is lying.

 

I'm with you that they don't need rescuing, what they need is actual support. Something they can turn to where they know with a little work someone will help them get out.

 

I think with good and supportive programs in place, those who inevitably want to get out can and will have a better chance of not returning.

 

If you feel hopeless, it must be hard to gather motivation to make the changes in life that make it possible to move on...

 

The problem is there has to be constant programs with reasonable expectations and goals for these ladies that work them towards happier lives, that actually show them how to get started in life.. if we just take them off drugs and away from pimps and tell them life will get better.. reality that life is hard will come back crashing down on them, possibly returning them to the life they already know.

 

Change is hard for lots of people, I would imagine it can be even harder for someone with a hard life or in a bad situation.. especially with no one behind you.

[Meg O'Ryan 266444]

Excellent points Naomi!

[PistolPete 61421]

One thing to ad though Nai, she had family to help her along and its just ashame they could not reach out to her enough. I feel for the family, it is just like that show on A and E

[Parker 19761]

Thanks Meg. xo

 

One thing to ad though Nai, she had family to help her along and its just ashame they could not reach out to her enough. I feel for the family, it is just like that show on A and E

 

True...

 

Now I'm not saying this applies to her, but I think in many cases we try to treat the addiction and not the underlying cause.

 

Unfortunately, you can tell someone over and over again how much you love them and it won't make their lives any better or their memories and problems go away.

 

If you take away someone's drugs and they lead an unhappy life.. where does that leave them?

 

(Some) People become crack/drug addicts to "get away", relax, forget... You need to give them counseling, other means to relax, ways to feel proud of themselves.. incentive to face their problems and move on.

 

Life is not supposed to be all roses and sunshine, but some of these people addicted to drugs are obviously having a rough time coping with that.

 

If you take a look at women's shelters.. a lot of them have good models for helping women start new lives. We need to expand on that...

[Andee 220524]

The only reason why drug addicts turn to prostitution is, except for stealing, it's the easiest and fastest way to get money for drugs.

 

Period.

 

They have no regard for keeping the profession classy because they don't have any regard for anything except getting that next fix.

 

So for those who question why they don't just play it safe and go legit like the rest of us is trying to figure out why someone would choose hamburger when they can have steak.

 

To me, street level prostitution is just a means to an often very dangerous and tragic end.

 

There's an old saying, it's easier to censor someone than pity them, especially when you've never walked a mile in their shoes.

 

It's a very real social problem that most people would prefer not to think about or pretend doesn't exist. Unfortunately it's when tragedy like this occurs that we are reminded that there are some very lost souls out there who desperately need help.

 

Whether they ask for it or accept it is another discussion.

[Megan'sTouch 23875]

I also have a lot of anger, as their actions have tainted a respectable and necessary profession!

I can somewhat understand this sentiment, but at the end of the day I'm grateful that I have never been subjected to the horrible things they have been subjected to (abuse, rape, addiction, etc.) If anything I think they should be angry at us because we have it better. Life isn't fair.

[rickoshadows 937]

Most of our Civil politicians and society in general do not get it. You cannot even start treating the addiction until you secure and stabilize the life these people are trying to escape from. If they are worriying where next month's rent or the power bill is going to come from, if they don't feel safe in wherever they are living, they will just return to drugs to escape the life that is overwhelming them.

[Victoria Banks 21899]

The only reason why drug addicts turn to prostitution is, except for stealing, it's the easiest and fastest way to get money for drugs.

 

Period.

 

They have no regard for keeping the profession classy because they don't have any regard for anything except getting that next fix.

 

So for those who question why they don't just play it safe and go legit like the rest of us is trying to figure out why someone would choose hamburger when they can have steak.

 

To me, street level prostitution is just a means to an often very dangerous and tragic end.

 

There's an old saying, it's easier to censor someone than pity them, especially when you've never walked a mile in their shoes.

 

It's a very real social problem that most people would prefer not to think about or pretend doesn't exist. Unfortunately it's when tragedy like this occurs that we are reminded that there are some very lost souls out there who desperately need help.

 

Whether they ask for it or accept it is another discussion.

 

As always... Well Said Angela!

[roamingguy 300292]

Education.....funny thing! You can't force education on ANYONE but you can force institutionalized rehabilitation. Perhaps expensive but then again, perhaps the only cure? If the likes of Lindsay Lohan can be sent to rehab...I think the poor souls that took the wrong road and ended up on .the street should not be the exception. Don't get me wrong, I am certainly not a bleeding heart but I do believe that drastic measures are the only solution. Talking and "rescuing" have so far not had any effect!

 

Meg

You are absolutely right, it can't be forced. Even so called institutionalized rehab only works if the individual is willing to be rehabed...it is still the addict's choice whether they want to kick the habit.

Another problem (don't ask me how I know, and no, I'm not, never have been a druggie) is programs are too short. It takes approx 30 days to get the drug out of the system, and the addicts need for another fix to go away. Then treatment programs take 30 days. Most programs are 30 days long total, when they should be 60 (30 days to detox, under medical supervision, then 30 day treatment) By the time the 30 day program (detox+treatment) is over, they are back out looking for their next fix.

And unless you are professional, with resources, as cold as this sounds, don't try to "save" an addict yourself, you'll likely be dragged down, and it's emotionally, at the minimum, draining.

RG

[ekimout 188]

They have tried that numerous times in that area,and they still continually to do so by some Education. The public in the Vanier area are and have been up in arms "As to say now what? who is going to help with this situation? " Local city politicians need to get off their collective ASSES and get the problem solved to help these young women out.

 

There is not near enough city assistance! We can put in all these huge block stores that generate huge amounts of tax dollars but they cannot give fuck all back to the community!

 

Local politicians can take a long hard kiss on my fucking ASS!:butt:

Anyone reading this- MAKE SURE YOU VOTE when the elections come up this fall!

 

Agreed!

 

I know in Vanier they are doing what they can, unfortunately the rest of the city views this as a Vanier issue.

 

But an open public discussion is required, perhaps even on a national level. Educating and informing the public of the issues is the only way to make this happen. Until the public makes this a priority, the politicians at all levels will run from this issue as fast as they can. Once the public deems this worthy or our attention and requires resources then the politicians will be forced to act, until then good luck!

[MissJenna 93]

How very sad that these women are in such a place that they will jump in and out of strangers cars risking their lives and safety each and every time. Let's hope that arrests are made soon and the missing are found alive. My heart goes out to all of the family members that have lost or are missing a loved one.

 

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