Fonessa Bruyere
2007 September 20
I have a request Please Please Please stop referring to children in the sex trade as prostitutes! They are exploited children! The term “prostitute” implies consent. The life span of a prostituted child is only 7 years. They rarely get a chance to grow up, let alone reach the age of consent. And by the time they reach that pivotal magical age? Too many end up like Fonessa, murdered.
Another child of the streets gone forever
No 17-year-old should fall victim to city’s roaming sex predators.
Lindor Reynolds discusses the too rarely discussed reality of child exploitation in Winnipeg. I’m very thankful to have had her article pass my desk today. I hope more folks in the media take notice of what she writes here.
I read the article. I am amazed that 14 is the age of consent. Here in the States, there have been numerous convictions for under age sex in recent years. Most place have 18 as the age of consent if one partner is over 18.
The sad truth is that police everywhere in the world turn a blind eye to adults preying on children.
Hi Brian, when I first started this blog I felt that 14 with a certain peer clause (a 2 year lee way either way for non criminalized teenage experimentation) was sufficient legal protection and that the problem seemed to lie in the way Law Enforcement and the judicial system applied it.
Now it seems to me the few cops, teachers and judges that have recently gotten away with sex with tweens and teens are doing so by the oddest interpretation of the phrase “…with an adult in a position of authority or trust.” Seems Canadian’s including judges and coppers (some of each) can get away with whatever they want if there’s wiggle room, including denying any responsibility of being held to a station of trust or authority.
for those of you who would like to see it to believe it, here’s the post: http://hazel8500.wordpress.com/2007/07/01/seth-paine-not-in-position-of-trust/
So now, today… I think we need to tighten up the laws on the books and leave no room for misinterpretation.
I believe that the age for consent should be risen at least to the age of 16. There is a big difference between the age of 14 as to 16 in maturity.
This article has a very strong point!! These children are not prostitutes they are Victims of these brutly people, not by their choice.
Hi Dora, thanks for weighing in, its always nice to see you. I agree there is a world of difference between 14 and 16. 16 and 18 even. I’m very quickly shifting towards raising the age of consent in Canada. The kids need protection.
TRIUMPH! Age of consent raised to 16, with a five year peer clause.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/05/01/crime-bill.html?ref=rss&loomia_si=t0:a16:g25:r3:c0:b0