NCJ Number
185229
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 6 Issue: 9 Dated: September 2000 Pages: 987-1011
Date Published
September 2000
Length
25 pages
Annotation
Data on sex worker murders in British Columbia, Canada, from 1964 to 1998 were used to build a murder profile and an analysis of the relationships among the media, law, political influence, and violence against street prostitutes.
Abstract
The study included statistics on 43 prostitutes, 5 exotic dancers, and 2 escort service workers whose murders were reported in Vancouver’s 2 daily newspapers; police records revealed 7 additional murders of sex workers. The research focused on the influence on the discourse of disposal as indicated by media descriptions of the ongoing attempts of politicians, police, and residents’ groups to eliminate street prostitution in residential areas. The analysis considered how this discourse of disposal contributed to a sharp increase in murders of street prostitutes in British Columbia after 1980. Findings indicated that the prohibition and stigmatization of prostitution are the main obstacles to creating safer working conditions for prostitutes. Canada’s current system involves the quasi-criminalization of prostitution. This system helps to perpetuate violence against prostitutes; little political will exists to prevent male violence against prostitutes by creating safer conditions for prostitutes’ work. Findings also suggested the need for resources to help women leave prostitution if they so desire, to prevent youth from making choices that they later regret, and for politicians and the public to address the basic issues that lead to pernicious forms of prostitution. Figures, table, notes, and 35 references (Author abstract modified)