Here is the letter the Congregational leadership team sent to Mayor Sam Sullivan of Vancouver, B.C., opposing the legalization of prostitution and brothels in preparation for the Olympics which will be held in that city in 2010.

      We encourage you to use this letter as the basis of your own personal letter expressing your opposition to legalizing prostitution which violates the dignity and human rights of women. Legalizing prostitution also supports males’ demand for convenient access to sex workers who are often trafficked persons.

      You may also want to make the letter available to your friends, family and co-workers.
                                 _________________________________

January 24, 2008

Mayor Sam Sullivan
Vancouver City Hall
453 West 12th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C. V5Y 1V4

Dear Mayor Sullivan:

In the name of over 1200 Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary and their 615 Associates, 773 of whom are Canadian citizens, we are opposed to a proposal that seeks approval to open legal brothels in Vancouver in time for the Olympic Games of 2010. We are concerned that you believe this action would reduce violence against women enslaved in these brothels. Prostitution is an inherently violent activity against women. Legal brothels will open the door to more human trafficking as witnessed in places such as Germany, the Netherlands, Australia and Las Vegas. More human trafficking means more exploitation, enslavement and abuse of women. Prostitution is not simply sex between two consenting adults. Research shows that most of these women are duped or coerced into this most heinous human rights abuse.

PLEASE REFUSE THE PROPOSAL TO OPEN LEGAL BROTHELS IN YOUR CITY.

Sincerely,

Dolores Wehle, SNJM
Margaret Kennedy, SNJM
Lorraine St-Hilaire, SNJM
Jocelyne Latreille, SNJM