Vancouver Rape Relief Intends to Bring a Unique Position on Prostitution to the Supreme Court of Canada

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - April 30, 2013) - In 6 weeks the Supreme Court of Canada will conduct its hearing regarding Canada's prostitution laws. Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter (VRRWS)-as part of the Women's Coalition for the Abolition of Prostitution- has been granted leave to intervene in the case. VRRWS will bring a feminist analysis of prostitution as both an expression and reinforcement of women's inequality to the highest court of Canada

The Attorney General of Canada's position is that the court should maintain the status quo, keeping the laws on the books as they are. Bedford, et al's position is that the court should strike down all three laws. VRRWS, however, holds a third position and will argue that the court should consider an asymmetrical approach to the application of the existing laws that differentiates between the victims of prostitution and the exploiters of prostitution.

VRRWS as part of the Women's Coalition will argue to the Supreme Court of Canada, that since the vast majority of women enter prostitution due to conditions of economic, social and racial inequality; laws that criminalize women involved in prostitution must be removed. However, laws that prevent men from buying, selling and profiting from prostituted women are important protections that must be retained.

Leading up to the hearing at the Supreme Court of Canada, Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter is participating in the Pan-Canadian Campaign We Want More Than Prostitution for Women. The campaign is calling for the abolition of inequality, poverty and prostitution. More information on the campaign can be found here: www.abolitionprostitution.ca

Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter is Canada's first rape crisis centre. VRRWS operates a 24 hour rape crisis line and transition house for battered women and their children. In the past year alone, VRRWS responded to 1,200 women escaping male violence including rape, battering and prostitution.

Source: http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=1784907&sourceType=3

Clara Schumann Jael Strauss Alison Pill Sam Bacile sprint britney spears At&t Wireless