On September 11, 2014, Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter (VRRWS) will testify before the Senate in response to Bill C-36. Bill C-36, the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act was introduced by justice minister, Peter McKay on June 4, 2014 as a replacement to current prostitution laws.
VRRWS, the oldest rape crisis center in Canada, has been on the forefront in the fight against male violence against women, including prostitution. VRRWS’s position on prostitution is based on its 40 years of frontline knowledge on the sexist and racist nature of prostitution.
VRRWS will testify before the Senate in support of the element of the Bill C-36 that criminalizes the demand for prostitution. Keira Smith-Tague, a front-line worker says: “We know that the source of the harm in prostitution is from the men who buy and sell women and therefore we absolutely support the intent in Bill C-36 that men be held accountable for their violence against women.”
 Representatives of the shelter will also urge for an amendment to Bill C-36 that will prevent the criminalization of the most marginalized women in prostitution. Keira Smith-Tague continues: “We are disappointed that particular provisions in Bill C-36 will potentially target the most marginalized, those women forced to prostitute in public space, who are overwhelmingly aboriginal women and largely impoverished.” For more information, visit  www.rapereliefshelter.bc.ca