Friday, August 12, 2011

Adieu, Wendy

It's hard to imagine a world without Wendy Babcock.   She died three days ago at the age of 32.   After a truly horrible life including life on the streets as a sex trade worker, she fought back by getting her GED and then winning admission to York U's Osgoode Hall Law School.   She was getting ready for her third and final year.   I think she would have been a sensational lawyer.

I cannot express adequately what so many others have far more eloquently.   I can say that I am privileged to have met her and to have had her as a friend.    There has been so much said about what we can do as a legacy to her.

Frankly the best thing that can happen in terms of "legacy" is for the feds to admit they're wrong and instead of fighting to keep the laws that impede the sex trade against the workers and treats perpetrators favourably, to rewrite the laws so that those in the profession are protected and it's the predators -- those who would harm street walkers and their children -- who face the legal consequences.   There is little doubt in my mind that when this reaches the bench of the Supreme Court of Canada the decision of the trial judge in Toronto will be upheld and a legal vacuum will exist nationwide unless it is plugged up fast.

It's never easy to admit one is wrong on something.    Wendy changed a lot of people's minds on the subject -- including mine.   Rest in peace, sister.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

No word from Osgoode on the death of one of their students? What's taking them so long?