Police Chief Bill Reid and AIDS Saint John are urging a progressive, compassionate approach to the city’s sex workers.
In a presentation to common council the police chief spoke to the potential benefits of mobile methadone and better access to affordable housing. Dr Leslie Jeffery says Saint John’s sex workers are in dire straits, accepting risk to life and limb and hazardous working conditions because they have no better options.
Outreach worker Catherine Belliveau says anyone who believes sex workers are being coddled by the system should come down to their office and look at the reality for themselves. She and AIDS SJ Chair Dr Leslie Jeffery pointed out sex workers are 2 to 3 times more likely to be killed on the job as police or taxi drivers–and Saint John isn’t exempt with 12 reported assaults in the past year.
A report by the city’s police commission determined it would be both unlawful and unethical to penalize sex workers for jaywalking, as suggested in a motion several months ago by Common Councillor Susan Fullerton.
