Opinions

Covenant House International is urging all Americans to support Bill H.R. 1623

michelle — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:07:37 -0700

Covenant House International is urging all Americans to support Bill H.R. 1623, a bill that would expand the protection of Megan's Law, mandating reporting requirements for convicted sex traffickers including pimps against minors to engage in international travel, and preventing entry into the U.S. by any foreign sex offender against a minor. Click here for more information.

We have written about human trafficking a few times, most recently drawing attention to Canada's lack of a national strategy on human trafficking and we never receive any comments on these posts. Maybe the issue of human trafficking is a "no brainer" and people don't feel the need to comment. I wonder too if human trafficking is still largely flying under the radar for most people - they know it exists but the details are vague and repugnant. For a lot of people, the thought of human enslavement whether for physical labour or sexual exploitation is beyond comprehension.

A few years ago, we had a presentation for our youth workers from a young woman who had exited the sex trade; she had been trafficked throughout Canada and United States and her story still haunts me. She is now an educator teaching organizations like Covenant House how the sex trade and trafficking works and how we can assist those trying to exit. She escaped, many do not.

If you are interested in learning more about human trafficking, click here and if you are reading this blog from the United States and want to lend your voice to Bill 1623, click here.

Canada to Cuba - Poverty is Poverty no matter where you live

michelle — Fri, 07 May 2010 08:56:37 -0700

I was recently lucky enough to go to Cuba for a vacation I had been there once before so I knew what to expect: beautiful beaches, warm sun and some of the nicest, friendliest people. I also knew to expect: poverty, unfairness and people lacking very basic supplies.

I worked with homeless and high risk youth for many years and I am a strong advocate for human rights, so going to Cuba caused me mixed emotions. On one hand the tourism industry creates jobs and brings money into the country but on the other hand I am supporting a country that puts tourist's needs before their own people.

In Cuba I had access to a cheap and frequent bus service - but this service is only for tourists as no locals can ride these buses. Instead the locals have to wait in long lines for infrequent bus service or hitchhike. At our hotel we had a doctor onsite and available 24 hours a day and bank open 12 hours a day. The Cuban people do not have this luxury; I went past a bank and there was a line down the block. I am not an expert on Cuban politics but the disregard for their own people is hard to watch and I felt badly that I was receiving special treatment as a tourist.

I knew to expect this unfairness and I had researched what I could do to give back to the local people. I made sure to tip generously as this is what many people working in the tourism industry survive on. I brought tampons, soap, razors and other supplies that are hard to get and gave them out. I brought small toys, pencils and crayons to give to children. These items are considered luxuries and people were very appreciative to receive them.

You may be wondering why I am I telling you about Cuba and its poverty and it's because it reminds me of our own poverty issues in Canada. Even though we live in a different country many Canadians face the same struggles: working but barely getting by, unable to find affordable housing and difficulty accessing services.

Our donors do the same thing for Covenant House and our youth as I did for the Cubans. They donate much needed supplies like tooth paste and brushes, clothing and sharing books and board games, items that are luxuries to our youth, just like the crayons and soap were for the Cuban people. It really reminded me that no matter where you go, people everywhere are basically the same; they are just trying to get by and do the best they can for themselves and their families.

If there is one difference between Canada and Cuba it is that we are blessed to live in a country where people have equal rights and are able to stand up and speak out if those rights are being violated. Anytime I travel I am always reminded how lucky I am to live in Canada and how important is to give back not only to my community but the global community as well. I feel blessed that I got a chance to interact with wonderful Cuban people and to give back in a small way. And I feel even more blessed that I got to return to Canadian with all its freedoms and continue to do the work I do at Covenant House.

Lastly, it is hard not to compare suffering when you consider the plight of the kids Covenant House (Casa Alianza) serves in central America where children as young as 10 years old are addicted to glue sniffing and are frequent victims of police brutality and where human trafficking is rampant. Suffering is suffering but the stark contrast in the standard of living between those living in countries like Cuba or Nicaragua compared to Canada is undeniable.

A typical Cuban scene: brand new car in contrast to a decrepit house

Youth privacy versus good communications

michelle — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 09:58:36 -0700

We have had a debate at Covenant House for many years around using photographs of our youth or "clients" in our promotional materials like the annual report and other donor communications. We have used real youth and we have used models. Most recently we began using stock photography.

The first time we ever used real youth in our general information brochure, two youth that had participated changed their minds after the brochure had been printed. We reprinted the brochure at enormous cost. After that we got more stringent in our "releases" ensuring that youth signed their consent in an attempt to prevent another situation where a young person regretted their decision to be photographed.

We tried models a few times and while it made using the photos "easier", the "look" of the models was not genuine and I felt our communications materials suffered as a result. While we've been back and forth with the model versus real youth debate several times, the advent of affordable stock photography has provided us with good quality, relatively realistic looking youth photos. The drawback is that we no longer have the joy of working with Kent Kallberg, who has been our photographer for many years and always provided us with excellent photographs at a greatly reduced price. Likewise, we can't show pictures of our programs in action.

This issue came to light again this morning when I read this article in the Vancouver Sun about the misappropriation of people's photos on TheDirty.com. One of the reasons I decided to stop using real youth in our materials was because it meant we could never post them on our website and it was my fear of their photos being manipulated in some way that lead me to this (even before the creation of sites like TheDirty). We had student groups taking stills of our youth photos and imbedding them into videos which they then posted on YouTube and this brought home the reality of having no control over what would happen to our youth's photos once they were posted on the web.

Lastly, I always had anxiety around using real youth in our materials because even though they gave their permission "freely", the bottom line is that these young people come to us in crisis: we feed and clothe them, we provide them sanctuary from the streets and exploitation. I never wanted them to feel like they "owed" us something by participating in a photo shoot. I didn't want to become an exploiter of the exploited.

So, I want to ask you this: if a young person gives their permission freely and wants their photograph on our website, should we allow it? Should we encourage their autonomy or protect them for "their own good".

What do you think?

A model, photograph by Kent Kallberg

Stock Photo

Streets of Plenty - a review

michelle — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:44:58 -0700

A youth worker friend of mine told me about this documentary "Streets of Plenty" by Misha Kleider and Cory Ogilvie. It chronicles the journey of Misha, a student that decides to give up everything and live on the streets for one month in December.

In my opinion, the documentary and Misha Kleider present an overly simplistic view of the Downtown Eastside and being homeless. At the start of this film he feels most homeless are just scamming the system because they are too lazy to work. As movie goes along and he experiences more of the streets and gets more rundown, he comes to a different opinion of homeless people and the streets in general.

The movie does bring up some thought provoking points and was approached and filmed in an interesting way. It's worth a look as it does provoke dialogue especially since Misha makes some very poor choices.
Be forewarned, Misha does try hard drugs in this movie and it was a very silly and irresponsible thing to do. Also there is a lot of swearing and other actions you may find offensive.

Click here to view the film.

Human Trafficking and the Olympics

michelle — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:10:31 -0800

As the 2010 Olympics quickly approaches the city is getting visibly busier: transit, businesses and yes: sex trade workers and escorts. With the Olympics comes the increase demand for sex trade workers and escorts both male and female.

The group REED (Resist Exploitation, Embrace Dignity) is running a campaign called "Buying Sex is not a Sport."

"Buying Sex Is Not a Sport is a grassroots campaign to raise awareness and effect change around sex trafficking and the 2010 Olympic games. The demand for sexual access to the bodies of women and children fuels human trafficking. Women and children in Metro Vancouver and Whistler are routinely coerced into the flesh trade to meet this demand, and a large sporting event such as the 2010 Olympics will only further exploitation through a rise in the demand for paid sex. Demand is an issue we have already flagged in Canada and have been working against for years.

The very workings of human trafficking are a market-based model of supply and demand. There is an uncontrolled male demand for sexual access to the bodies of women (and children) and the supply for this demand is met through violating the dignity of women. It is our conviction that in order to stem the tide of human trafficking we must end the demand for paid sex. Demand flourishes in an atmosphere of anonymity" from REED's website.

As the world visits Vancouver it is our chance to show them what a wonderful city we have: kind people, amazing natural beauty, and a vibrant atmosphere. We should not be showing the world that we support human trafficking and the abuse of children, men and women. I encourage you all to learn as much as you can about human trafficking and Vancouver's sex trade. And to do your part to make sure that buying sex is not a part of Vancouver's Olympic legacy.

Other articles of interest:

Covenant House blog
The Province
BCHR Coaliation
Prositution Resarch and Education
The Future Group
Human Trafficking in BC

Olympics, Vancouver and the homeless

michelle — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:49:23 -0800

For a lot of people, the Olympics coming to Vancouver is a wonderful event. It is a chance for our Canadian athletes to shine, a way to showcase Vancouver, boost the economy and provide a fun and exciting time.

But not everyone feels this way; many people are angry with how our city is treating its poor and homeless. Some people feel that the mass amounts of money being spent on the games could have gone to better uses to help our city and its residents. Others are concerned that there is an attempt to hide the downtown Eastside and push its people out of the public eye.

There have been many stories about this as well as events, protests and discussions featuring opinions on both sides. We invite you to share your opinion about Vancouver, the Olympics and how you feel it is affecting our residents.

Here are some different stories and blogs on the topic:

Homelessness change
Seattle Times
Toronto Star
Vancouver Sun
VANOC

What are your thoughts?

Well Wishes for 2010

hayter — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:35:18 -0800

As we leave 2009 behind and head into 2010 we are wondering what your goals or resolutions are for the year ahead? Or maybe you don't make any?

Our youth usually have many goals and aspirations for the New Year, anything from finding a home, getting a job or to quit using drugs. We make New Year's fun for our youth by staying up late, having lots of treats and playing games. Our staff model that you can have a great New Year's night without drugs or alcohol.

So with resolutions in mind we are hoping that you would share yours with us or send some well wishes to our youth to give them little extra strength to accomplish theirs.

Covenant House Vancouver thanks you all for your kindness and support in 2009 and hopes your 2010 is filled with love, joy and all you wish for.

Happy New Year!!

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…

hayter — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:40:30 -0800

Please enjoy a Christmas poem from Brian & FASS ( Finance & Support Services) dedicated to our staff and youth.

It’s not the night before Christmas and anyway according to CSS(Community Support Services) creatures have been stirring!

It is best sung to “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire"

Shelter’s boasting that no beds are free Drop-in’s so full it overflows Worldwide youth will arrive at ROP And Outreach head out like Eskimos.

Everybody knows that Program and the rest of you Help to make the season bright Lots of youth who have nowhere to go Will find it safe to sleep tonight.

They know that Krista’s had her way She said that boys and girls will not be turned away And every mother’s child is going to find At CHV we really can be very kind.

And so I’m offering this simple phrase To youth sixteen to twenty four Although it’s been said many times, many ways A Merry Christmas once more

With apologies to Nat King Cole, Kenny G and any other famous artists recording of this song. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all, from your friends in FASS. Brian.

Hats off to the Tyee

michelle — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:15:19 -0700

The Tyee is a Vancouver based blog that consistently reports on issues relating to homelessness, drawing much-needed attention to an issue that concerns most British Columbians.

Click here for today's article on a renovated SRO. Thanks to Monte Paulsen for covering this topic near and dear to us.

Debating the sexual abuse of a 13 year old girl

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:40:28 -0700

There has been much bantering in Hollywood over the fate of film maker Roman Polanski who drugged and raped a 13 year old girl in 1977. Polanski has until now avoided prosecution, having fled the United States, but was recently arrested in Switzerland. It is remarkable to me that there are those who argue the assault was not a "rape rape" (Whoopi Goldberg). A 13 year old girl was drugged and raped by a grown man. What am I missing here?

At Covenant House, we see the wounds sexual assault/abuse leave on young women (and men) and it is devastating. To argue the legality or "fairness" of apprehending Polanski now leads us away from the real issue: children who are physically and sexually abused suffer, sometimes for the rest of their lives.

Supporters of Polanski and the (now) woman herself, who was the victim of Polanski's crime, argue that she is being re-victimized, as this "story" plays out again in the media, her wounds re-opened. So on one hand, the abuse is acknowledged while simultaneously its impact denounced.

The raping of a 13 year old girl is a horrific crime; that the rights of the criminal are of great concern to some is of great concern to me.