(no subject)

[theweaselking]

Ottawa Police arrest johns, not prostitutes, and discover that this works way better in terms of actually making people safer.

Even if I can't help but read the interviewed officer's statements in The Grand Nagus' voice because of one unfortunate word choice, it's a happy piece of news.

Comments

[pavel-lishin.livejournal.com]

"we've had males that had bondage things. So they had other plans in mind when going out looking for those females."

Or maybe they were going to engage in some consensual BDSM stuff.

[theweaselking.livejournal.com]

Maybe! But did you note the next bit, about how it's led to charges in at least two previously-unsolved murders of prostitutes?

Inspector Rheaume appears to not be a polished speaker, but I think he's at least trying to be on the side of the angels.

[pavel-lishin.livejournal.com]

Oh, sure, I'm glad that this is working out well for everyone. But the article didn't imply any sort of link between BDSM guy and the murderers - that was just a spicy little sentence to make Jenny and Jim Ohio feel a little more interested.

I just feel sorry for the dude who likes getting his ass whipped, and ends up getting questioned about it.

[torrain.livejournal.com]

I feel sorry for him (actually, them) too, although I will note (with full understanding that it yes, there is likely some demonization of BDSM going on, and no, I know not everyone has the other options) that they are not exactly in a place where the only option for engaging in BDSM is paying a sex worker.

That said, doubt that Jenny and Jim Ohio are going to be that interested or spicily shocked (hello, Ohio people! I understand that some of you read about sex work a thousand klicks from home, but I bet you're rare, and I'm pretty sure you can find prurient details closer to home). But this is me being deeply amused at the shorthand.

On the whole, though? I'm glad. Because this is still a place where I expect to hear people react to aggravated assaults on minors with "well, I guess maybe now she'll get the idea that people don't think it's okay she's doing this!" if they happen to be prostitutes, and we are over-fucking-due for a change. I wish it could come without someone's embarrassment. I really do; it is horrible to not have any other options and to try to satisfy your harmless-to-others needs as best you can and to be arrested and exposed to scrutiny for it, even if your name is not made public. But I'll take a city with a little more private embarrassment and a little less assault and murder, you know?

[pavel-lishin.livejournal.com]

I agree with those words.

[theweaselking.livejournal.com]

Something she said that made me look at your comment again: Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA. Not Ottawa, Ohio.

City of more than a million, in a country where prostitution is mostly legal.

This isn't about smalltown cops in a teeny exurb of Toledo.