FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17th 2012
The Vancouver Police Department Continues to Objectify Women
Vancouver- Vancouver Rape Relief and Womens Shelter is not surprised to learn that 15 officers ranking from constable to inspector were viewing pornography on the job.
This is why women don’t trust or rely on the police to respond appropriately to crimes of sexual assault or violence against women. This is just one more example of how the police department covers up their degrading attitude towards women. The police continue to operate in a system of male hierarchy and superiority, which in turn creates appalling levels of sexism internally and externally.
Summer-Rain Bentham from Vancouver Rape Relief says: “This attitude within VPD and the actions by these officers reinforces that women’s bodies are nothing more than objects for male sexual gratification, while women’s group must rely on these same men/officers to respond to sexual assaults and violence against women. No wonder women in prostitution are being arrested and charged, while men continue to access the bodies of women and girls in prostitution. Even our law enforcement agents believe it is an appropriate use of their time on the job, which is meant to serve and protect the community instead, is better used to see women as objects of consumption. Is this how they protect us?”
Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter demands an URGENT response to all men including police officers to be held accountable. It is clear to us at Vancouver Rape Relief that prostitution and pornography is on a collision course with women’s equality. We must hold men accountable to violence against women in the immediate acts of men viewing buying or trading pornography and prostitution.
The VPD has a long way to go in order to provide an adequate policing response to all forms of violence against women, and to show their support with women’s groups working to end all form of male violence against women.
Media contact: Summer-Rain Bentham, Vancouver Rape Relief and Womens Shelter: 604 872 8212
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