Attack on Sex-Worker in Saint John

[Guest W***ledi*Time]

CBC News reports, 30 Nov 2010:

 

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2010/11/30/nb-sex-trade-attack.html

Saint John police are investigating a violent attack on a sex-trade worker, that they say left the woman severely disfigured.

 

The 40-year-old woman was assaulted in the early morning hours of Nov. 12 at the corner of Cliff and Waterloo streets, police said.

 

"Word is that she's suffered a broken jaw, badly beaten and they left her for done dinner. They put a good beating on her," said Bobby Hayes, who is with the non-profit agency The Joshua Group, which helps children and families in need in the Saint John area.

 

The woman remains in hospital.

 

Police said the attacker is described as being Caucasian, in his late 40s. He was wearing a black leather jacket with jeans and sneakers. A sketch of the suspect has been released by police.

 

Crystal Koven said she sees the effects of street violence while working at Saint John Community Champlaincy, which offers a warm room with hot coffee, an open door policy and if needed, first aid.

 

Koven said sex-trade workers often don't report violence to police.

 

"You see the bruising, that sort of thing. It's really a don't ask, don't tell type of community, so when they come in we just really try and focus on how are you today," said Koven. "It's unfortunate that this continues to go on, and that people like this get away with doing things like this to people."

[Carley Chase 18985]

Thats horrible that someone could do that to anyone. Absoultly know respect for themselves or obviously anyone else. That story sickens me. Very sad.

[Guest **cely***r***ne]

Yes...

I am very saddened by this :( I cannot stand the thought of that poor woman lying there after getting severly beaten. It makes me want to cry :'( ......

[EmilyRushton 253372]

This makes me sick....Why would anyone do this to another person? And then to leave her lying on the street, the whole story makes me ill

[Rounding Third 9568]

This is a terrible, terrible thing. Everyone is to be repulsed by this. As a hobbyist in Saint John it is my worst fear. The reality is that although I love my City I know there is a dark side to it. The Waterloo Street area is notorious.

 

I am not going to be naive and ask CERB ladies who visit Saint John to disregard this as something not indicative to working here. That would be an injustice to you. Rather, I want to emphasise that this is an industrial city, a sea port and there is a dark side to it.

 

Therefore, whether you are an SP living here or visiting, please, please, please, always be diligent in your screening.

[Guest s******ecan****]

Didn't an Saint John SP recently leave the business as a result of a violent client? I wonder if this was the same guy? Could be a serial abuser in Saint John. If any SP's recall this or are still in contact with the SP that left perhaps it would be worth following up to see if anything can be done.

 

Its common for guys like this to escalate their violence. The next victim may not be left alive.

[Guest W***ledi*Time]

Didn't an Saint John SP recently leave the business as a result of a violent client? ....

 

Yes, two weeks prior to the attack reported in the article.

[nebbah1973 350]

Came on here to check out discussion on this as soon as I read it on CBC - what a horrible thing. Saint John certainly does have a dark side and that neighbourhood is one of the darkest among them.

 

I hope the lady has something of a support system / family in SJ to help her through this awful time.

[Carley Chase 18985]

I hope the lady has something of a support system / family in SJ to help her through this awful time.

 

You are completely right, at a time like that you certainley would someone. It breaks my heart

[Slydude_2000_ca 110]

As a Saint John resident this sickens me that anyone would do that to someone else. I know of another case of an SP that was attacked about two months ago that wasn't in the paper, but was reported to the police. I wonder if it is the same guy... I hope they catch him soon.

[2tuff2tame 247]

The attack on the the SP from CERB was the last week of Oct, I was there and was going to visit her. I didn't and have wondered if i did would things have been different? I hope this lady fully recovers and they get the SOB that did it.

[Grass_Hopper 18263]

Often, SPs are divided in sub-groups. Some work with it, some don't. It's important for all of us to participate in forums...

 

Please lady from St-John, can we have your inputs? You may save a travelling lady...

[Loralee Reach 245]

This is so AWFUL......what kind of sick person can do this to another?

"broken jaw?"......

I heard other stories in my life about beatings of sex workers, but not in a First World Country

PLEASE LET'S START A "COLLECTION" FOR HER.......she must need the cash....

Mod, can you authorize a collection for her.

As some of you know I paint and I am willing to make a ruffle with one of my works (not bad, I tell you) and if we all put 10 dollars and send it to the wonderful Mod, and he can draw the numbers and whoever gets it gets my painting......

we can help this colleague SP with her present needs....

Please, any answers to this?

Think about this happening to you yourself and the bills have to be paid.....

please let's do something for her!!!!!!!!!!!

Loralee:sad:

[Megan'sTouch 23875]

Loralee,

 

While it's a nice thought, I'm not sure it's practical. Is anyone in contact with this SP? Is there someone we can trust enough with the funds to pass it on to her? Does she even need the money? To be honest, if I were assaulted, money would be the last thing on my mind.

 

Maybe a donation to a sex-worker friendly women's shelter or rape crisis centre would be a more practical idea?

 

Megan

[Rounding Third 9568]

Good thought Megan. There is an organization called Coverdale Center for Women. The link is http://www.coverdalecentreforwomen.com

[Loralee Reach 245]

Thanks for the suggestion Megan. I would prefer the money going to her....this is a horrible time of the year to be without cash. She may not need it , you are right, but I have the internal need to give "her" and on the other hand I help all the women shelters I can.

Thanks for your kindness and let's see if someother people has other ideas.

I am going to investigate and see if I can find more details about her and even her identity.

Thanks again Megan

Lora

(thanks also to you Zealous4U; Harmony house always accepts donations also and it is a great place for ladies in need)

LoraL

[Megan'sTouch 23875]

I am going to investigate and see if I can find more details about her and even her identity.

I realize your heart is in the right place, but I would strongly caution against this. Let's respect her privacy at this time.

[acco34 1223]

I am going to investigate and see if I can find more details about her and even her identity.

LoraL

 

I would have to agree with Megan on this Loralee. Your heart is in the right place but I have lived in Saint John for many years and I can tell you with out a doubt that the lady that was attacked is a street walker and chances are working for drugs, so finding her identity would be next to impossible. She wouldn't be on any board or have anything to do with the internet as far as SPing goes. The area she was attacked is pretty much known as one of the worst parts of town. Its low income and high crime rate. It could very well have been her dealer or pimp rather then a client that did this to her. Reguardless the situation no one deserves to have happen to them what happened to this lady and I hope they catch this guy and throw his ass in jail.

I hope this doesn't keep travelling ladies from coming to the city. The clients the travelling lady would see are not the same as the guys that go to this area of town and pick up the street walkers. As mentioned by others, Saint John does have a dark side like most cities have. Overall Saint John is a good place and very safe for the most part. But it does have it's parts of towns that you shouldn't walk alone in late at night, as most do.

[Loralee Reach 245]

Thanks Acco!

Megan is right. I tried to find her and I did not get anywhere. I just feel very sorry for her. Escort or street girl she is a human being and whoever did this should rotten in hell!

I can not do anything to help her. No one can at the moment.

Hope she recovers and is well. May be this is an opportunity for her, who can tell!!!

Thanks for your advise. No worries, I am staying put because I can not do anything.

Hugs

LL