Power control issues between sex workers and police officers are not uncommon according to Peers Victoria Resource Society, a sex worker advocacy group.
B次元官网网址淲hen weB次元官网网址檙e talking about sex workers reporting sexual violence to police, sometimes sex workers, not irregularly, face power control issues with police,B次元官网网址� said Rachel Phillips, executive director of Peers. B次元官网网址淪ometimes that means they are further sexually victimized by police.B次元官网网址�
Phillips said this is a general trend for sex workers and not just a local occurrence.
READ MORE:
Recently, a report by the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner revealed that an officer from the Saanich Police Department had been retroactively fired following 11 substantiated misconduct allegations in regards to an B次元官网网址渋nappropriateB次元官网网址� relationship with a sex worker, including failing to conduct an adequate investigation into the complaint of a sexual assault and robbery
The officer was also found to have sent and received sexual text messages and images from a victim of a crime (though it was not specified if this person was a sex trade worker).
ALSO READ:
In the same report, one Oak Bay officer faced discipline after allegations of using services of sex trade workers, possibly while on duty.
B次元官网网址淭o me itB次元官网网址檚 not a problem that an officer might have a relationship with someone in the industry,B次元官网网址� Phillips said. B次元官网网址淭he problem is if thereB次元官网网址檚 a conflict of interest with their role or abusing their power.B次元官网网址�
READ MORE:
Phillips said that because of power struggle issues, as well a legality issues around sex work, most workers will not go to police if they are facing problems.
B次元官网网址淥f all the bad date and aggressor reports, probably less than five per cent of workers are willing to meet with police,B次元官网网址� Phillips said. B次元官网网址淧eople in the sex industry are structurally at odds with police because of criminal codes which say that sex work is wrong, so thereB次元官网网址檚 a distrust amongst police services.B次元官网网址�
Phillips said thereB次元官网网址檚 also the problem of stigma against sex workers, as well as societal prejudice and racism.
B次元官网网址淪ome of our more marginalized people experience criminalization and poor treatment from police on multiple angles,B次元官网网址� Phillips said, adding it was particularly bad with Indigenous workers. B次元官网网址淲ithin certain sub populations, itB次元官网网址檚 a cultural problem.B次元官网网址�
Phillips did note, however, that Peers and the Victoria Police Department are trying to foster a healthier relationship between officers and sex workers by utilizing two liaison officers who are women. While sex workers are still hesitant to speak with the officers, Phillips said thereB次元官网网址檚 room for education and growth with that outreach.
B次元官网网址淚 think liaison relationships have to be grounded in a philosophy of support,B次元官网网址� Phillips said. B次元官网网址淢aybe Saanich in particular should consider getting liaison officers of their own.B次元官网网址�
Send a Tweet:
Like us on
