Submitted. In December 2013 the Abbotsford Police Department began receiving tips concerning a potential “bawdy house” being operated in the area of Townline Road and Gardner Avenue. Subsequent tips and information came in over the next few months and an investigation, led by the APD’s Major Crime Unit, was initiated. The focus of that investigation, and a search warrant that was executed on May 29, 2014, was a residence in the 2800 block of Townline Road.
Of additional concern to APD investigators was the proximity of the residence to an elementary school and a high school. It was also important to determine if there was evidence of Human Trafficking or the involvement of youth at the residence. The investigation is continuing but there are sufficient grounds at this time for the APD to be recommending charges of “Keeping a Common Bawdy House” against a 54 year old woman from Vancouver.
Anyone with information concerning this investigation should contact the APD at 604-859-5225, text us at 222973 (abbypd), or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Editor’s Note: In December 2013, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the Criminal Code provision against keeping a common bawdy-house because it violated section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guaranteeing the right to life, liberty, and security of the person.
Concerns about safety for sex trade workers extends to neighborhoods, which is home to our children.
Bawdy House clients put neighborhoods at risk..attracting
Johns, some who may have charges of pedophilia and other
sex related charges inc. sexual violence. Many sex trade workers
have mental health/addictions further attracting drug dealers into
the neighborhoods.
It is important to keep street workers safe from violent “Johns” but
it is important to keep neighborhoods safe, to allow our children
to grow up in healthy neighborhoods…. their rights to life and security.
Many sex trade workers have come from dysfunctional home environments, which has lead them into prostitution for survival.
Sex trade workers needs protection from Johns, who may have
sexual dysfunctions and violent tendancy and/or addictions.
It is time to initiate regulated brothels to protect and help support the
well being of sex trade workers and protect citizens, especially our children from these same Johns, who are a great risk to public safety and mental well being of all.
I find it rather concerning that this woman is capitalizing off the avails
of prostitution, which is disrupting the safety and social order of a
neighborhood and she doesn’t even live in this city.