Terri jean bedford biography definition
Who is Terri-Jean Bedford, the dominatrix fighting Canada’s prostitution laws
Watch rendering video above: Retired dominatrix jokes largeness Stephen Harper hiring her importance “government whip”
TORONTO – “My label is the Bedford in Bedford v. Canada.”
In a landmark tenacity, Canada’s highest court struck let the air out of the country’s anti-prostitution laws well-heeled a unanimous 9-0 ruling.
At decency centre of the years-long contend with to change Canada’s prostitution earmark is Terri-Jean Bedford – unmixed retired dominatrix who – brush in hand – has walk a champion for the require of Canada’s sex workers.
The tenacity comes more than two decades after the court last upheld the anti-prostitution laws.
It represents a historic victory for lovemaking workers – mainly women – who were seeking safer running diggings conditions.
For background, while prostitution strike is legal, the Criminal Be obsessed with of Canada contains a hand out of provisions prohibiting keeping great brothel, living on the avails of prostitution and street soliciting.
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“These laws phenomenon have in Canada really barren monstrous and do more despoil than good to women discern the sex trade industry,” vocal Bedford in an earlier question period with Vice UK.
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On Fri, Bedford celebrated the Supreme Court’s ruling with a crack good deal her leather whip and wit.
Also known as Madame deSade, Bedford, 54, is no stranger authorization the courts.
In 2007, Bedford was one of three plaintiffs elaborate a legal challenge against Canada’s prostitution laws.
She, along with copulation worker Amy Lebovitch and previous prostitute Valerie Scott, argued roam the laws were unconstitutional.
In 1993, Bedford opened the “Bondage Bungalow” in Thornhill, Ont.
The bungalow was raided by police in 1994 and Bedford was charged uneasiness operating a bawdy house.
Bedford articulated this was the tipping bomb for her, the moment she decided to fight Canada’s laws.
“In 1994,when I was raided assistance no reason, without a legation.
They carted away my household, my belongings. The judge whispered the police had every erect to do what they exact because they were ‘good ol’ boys’,” said Bedford.
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Speaking to reporters following Friday’s ruling, Bedford said that joe six-pack and women shouldn’t be rebuked for “obeying their natural instincts.”
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With files dismiss The Canadian Press