The director of AIDS Saint John is thanking Common Councillor Susan Fullerton, saying the outrage to her motion to Council has sparked incredible support and sympathy for sex trade workers.
Julie Dingwell tells CHSJ news in 13 years they’ve never received so many phone calls and e-mails of people supporting and interested in their cause. She also says kudos to police for taking a common sense approach to the motion, saying you can’t use by-laws against people you “just don’t like.”
Suggestions by Common Councillor Susan Fullerton to use city sidewalk and traffic bylaws to remove prostitutes from uptown streets have been shot down by the Police Commission. In a report for Common Council, the Police Commission describes them as not feasible, lawful or ethical.
Dingwell believes this dialogue has made Saint John a more compassionate community. She says the issue struck a nerve with many people, and now more people understand we need to find solutions like better access to mental health and addiction services, rather than treating sex workers like criminals.
The Sex Trade Action Committee will still make a presentation to Common Council.
Support For Sex Workers’ Rights At All Time High, Thanks To Councillor
