National Forum - Why decriminalize sex work

You are cordially invited to a FIRST national public forum, June 11, 2008

Featuring Dr Frances Shaver of Concordia University, a national authority on the negative impacts of Canada's prostitution laws, together with presenters from Vancouver’s legal, health, and sex worker sectors.

Find out how sex workers are harmed by criminalization and social stigma. Learn why gaining legal, economic and social rights will reduce violence and discrimination against sex workers.

Sponsored by FIRST, a national feminist coalition advocating for the rights of sex industry workers. FIRST cites a link between the high rates of violence against street-based sex workers and the current Criminal Code laws against prostitution.

Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Time: Doors open: 6:30 p.m. Forum from: 7 – 9 pm
Location: Vancouver Public Library
Free admission

Speakers:
• Dr. Frances Shaver, Chair, Sociology and Anthropology, Concordia University, Montreal
• Tamara O’Doherty, FIRST representative, Criminologist (MA, LLb – SFU UFV)
• Susan Davis, B.C. Coalition of Experiential Communities
• Shari Allinott, Kate Shannon, MAKA Project
• Katrina Pacey, PIVOT Legal Society.