(VANCOUVER) November 14, 2011 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PEERS VANCOUVER, THE ONLY ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO HELPING SEX WORKERS EXIT THE SEX TRADE FORCED TO CLOSE ITS DOORS DUE TO PROVINCIAL EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM CHANGES IN 2012
Over the last 10 years, PEERS Vancouver Resource Society has helped
hundreds of clients exit the sex trade and transition into healthier and
safer lifestyles. Through programming, public education and peer support
we have worked tirelessly to facilitate long-term life-changes for women,
men, and transgender individuals involved in the sex industry.
Under the provincial government’s new Business Transformation model, our
Bridging to Employment program will not be receiving any direct funding
from the Ministry of Social Development. As of April 2012, PEERS Vancouver
will no longer be able to provide the comprehensive programming that is
necessary to ensure our client’s personal and professional success in the
mainstream world.
An organization that assists individuals in a survival state cannot
operate in a similar state itself. Our successes are due to the
relationships of trust we have built with our clientele and with exiting
being a process not an event, core funding is mandatory. We have many
smaller project funders that enhance our programming by supporting our
outreach, public education and prevention efforts but we cannot exist on
these alone.
It is hard to ignore the unfortunate irony of the timing of this press
release, during the Missing and Murdered Women’s Inquiry and shortly after
the City’s release of the report “Preventing Sexual Exploitation and
Protecting Vulnerable Adults & Neighbourhoods Affected by Sex Work: A
Comprehensive Approach and Action Plan”.
The report clearly identifies the need for a coordinated approach that
specifies the inclusion of investments in social services and supports,
including adequate resources to assist individuals to exit sex work. There
was significant press on the report, none of which covered what is being
done for sex workers and the solution-based models in place for them such
as PEERS.
“It is inspirational working at PEERS Vancouver. Helping sex workers
realize that their value does not come in a dollar amount and not only are
they able to be productive members of society but they have a right to be
is incredibly rewarding.” – Ty Mistry, Executive Director
It is undeniable that the closure of PEERS Vancouver will be a tremendous
loss for the entire community and will create a serious gap along the
continuum of support for individuals involved in the sex industry.
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Contact for PEERS Vancouver
Ty Mistry, Executive Director
Office: 604 681 3017
Cell: 778 838 3017
admin@peersvancouver.org
www.peersvancouver.org
