Sagittarius
You have to chuckle at a witness who refers to himself as an "arsehole" when questioned about a night when he had been drinking and gotten into a disturbance with some neighbors. Dave Pickton had to talk the situation down. I just found Gerald to be very endearing. He worked for the Picktons at their various businesses while residing in the motorhome that we've heard had a bloody mattress in it. DNA on the mattress was linked to Mona Wilson.
At most, the witness paid rent only occasionally. He spoke about how busy the farm was and said he was the "night watchman" of the property. He spoke of how he freely came and went from Willie's trailer and how Willie was always there to help him out with food or whatever when he ran out. He spoke of his Willie's strong work ethic and how he could somehow make work fun. He said he related to Willie, as they were both slightly socially awkward. He would just wander over to the barn to socialize with him, especially after having a few beers.
It was his last statement that spoke loudly to me. He was asked if he had known then what he knows now - what Pickton is charged with - if there was "anything we should know."
His reply was a firm "No. I never witnessed or seen anything going on at the farm."
*****
Yesterday we also had a witness that I did not report about because she was subject to a publication ban, and erring on the side of caution, I felt best not to go near her testimony at all.
But her testimony has stuck with me in a very troublesome and personal way.
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Yes, I do have a differing
By Trina Ricketts, June 23, 2007 at 07:07Yes, I do have a differing opinion. Not necessarily about whether some women enjoy sex work or not. I was a stripper and I dare anyone to say I DIDN'T enjoy my work, because that would be completely false. But I do know sex workers who enjoy their work. I also know many who do not. I respect each person's personal experience and feelings on that experience, but I do not presume to force my perception of those experiences on others. For instance, there are strippers who felt very victimized and out-of-control in the industry. I always asked myself how much of this was them internalizing what society expected them to feel, and what was authentic - not forced on them by greater society. But regardless, it is not my place or my desire to contradict people/women's experiences to justify my own.
On the issue of legalization. I don't support legalization at all. I DO support decriminalization though. Decriminalizing sex work doesn't mean girls will grow up wanting to do the work or that boys will think it is a valid option for women - those kinds of ideas will come from upbringing, exposure to the life, and other external factors. I certainly didn't expect to grow up and become a stripper, and my mother disowned me for it - but the fact that it is legal did not make it MORE of a draw to me. The money was the draw, as my understanding of sex work in all areas that is the case.
Decriminalizing prostitution will mean that if our daughters do it, they can get out easier. They will be less isolated and less easily preyed on. They will feel more inclined to call the police when they've experienced violence. They will have safer options for where they perform their services. It is harm reduction for a trade that isn't going away.
It is never my intention to argue whether sex work is something women enjoy or not. That is very subjective and depends on the women, the circumstances of her life, whether she has other options or feels forced to be in the trade, has drug addiction issues that impair her ability to care for herself or take precautions, and so on.
Regardless of whether you support women being in the sex trade or are vehemently against it, we should all be able to agree that sex workers are entitled to safety, protection, dignity, respect, and self-determination. Criminalizing the industry takes all of those things away.
We may not want our daughters to be prostitutes (or strippers for that matter) but they will make their own decisions. If my daughter becomes a sex worker one day, I hope she will have more rights and more respect than what workers of today have. It is the criminalization of sex workers that has led to this trial, and the utter disregard for human life displayed by police, courts, and society in general. It continues today. Women are still going missing at an alarming rate.
Thank you for your very
By Joanne Husak, June 21, 2007 at 12:47Thank you for your very enlightening story and for sharing your wisdom with us.
You handle this topic with
By passionateobserver, June 21, 2007 at 07:27You handle this topic with elegance and an honesty that is rarely seen. M heart breaks for the pain you feel and know your readers keep you in our thoughts.
My field of work is in addiction recovery and to many times I have heard women struggling to work through this part of their past.
If this went higher than 5 stars you would have gotten it from me.
Thank you for speaking out.
I dare anyone to read this
By T-Lee, June 20, 2007 at 12:52I dare anyone to read this story and not feel an emotional impact. You have managed to shed a very very personal light on something that (God willing) most women will never ever experience. How can anyone read your story and believe that women working the streets (forced or 'voluntarily'), make a choice to do this for a living!! How dare someone judge a woman and look down upon her for working the streets, when she is, as you have said, losing every last ounce of self worth and dignity with every date. Not only should we not want our daughters to come home and tell us they have chosen to work in the sex trade industry, but we should also not want our sons to grow up believing that this is an option for women. Our sons should know that women have more worth and are more than their sex organs, and as males they can strive to be in a loving monogomous relationship that includes being sexually healthy with your chosen partner. I swear, I am just poised and waiting to pounce on the first person who dares to challenge anything you have written. Anyone who dares to say "some women like it"! PUUUULLLEEEEZZZEEE. You want to see cyberbullying, bring it on. Thanks for the insight, I hope this is read by many who just dont get it yet!
One thing that didn't make
By Heather Wallace, June 20, 2007 at 13:32One thing that didn't make it into this story was that during the former sex worker's testimony, one of the "professional media" people commented within earshot of Trisha, "She's a hot one," in reference to the witness. Just one more reminder that just because someone is a professional, does not mean they are professional. Trisha's insights may provide important sensitivity training.
I predict Orato correspondent Trina Ricketts may have an opinion differing from that presented in this article. I know many sex trade workers do not see their work as dehumanizing. I also received an e-mail from another sex trade worker who took great exception to the abolitionist views in this article. She feels this further marginalizes an already victimized population of active sex trade workers. I invite anyone who takes another stand to voice it on Orato.com.
I should also take this opportunity to stress that Orato.com is not promoting legalization or abolition, but rather is a forum for free expression and a place where differing voices can be heard.
Heather Wallace
senior editor
orato.com