Murdered sex workers in Quebec often appear in the shadow of other types of femicide. Between taboo and stigmatization, it is difficult to quantify the violence suffered.
Posted at 5:00 am
“We know that in our society, the women most at risk of violence or murder are the most marginalized: sex workers, indigenous people, the homeless, trans women, but they are often excluded from movements that speak out about violence against women .” denounces Sandra Wesley, executive director of Stella, an organization by and for sex workers.
Two weeks before Christmas, a family in Pointe-Saint-Charles witnessed an unnamed tragedy: the simultaneous murder of a grandmother and her granddaughter, who were struck by firearm bullets.
It turned out that the latter, Jade Racette Beaulieu, 22, was involved in the sex industry, as confirmed by La Presse from various sources including police and criminals.
This information has not been disseminated to the media and no arrests have yet been made in connection with this crime. The funerals of the two women were celebrated on December 27th.
Messages of condolence have been circulating on social media for the past few weeks. “I’m speechless this morning, life has taken an important person from me,” wrote a friend, Bianka Dupont, on Facebook. “I found out very early this morning that life had taken you back, far too soon and in a horrible way. It hurts to have learned this, my heart is heavy, I’m in so much pain,” shared another friend, Josie Vincelette.
According to a neighbor of the Mullins Street building where the murders took place, Jade Racette was “a nice girl who always said hello”. Another neighbor, very upset, also confided in La Presse. “Jade, I’ve known her since she was a teenager. Nobody deserves to live their life like this. Really, it’s tragic. »
The often accused victim
This double murder occurred two days before December 17th, the International Day to End Violence against Sex Workers.
” [Un meurtre comme ça], which is something that is very difficult for sex workers, argues Ms. Wesley. And just seeing the negative comments, how we’re trying to blame the victim… speculation about his personal life takes up a lot of space to determine if he’s a victim worth the pain, deserves sympathy,” he laments you.
For Manon Monastesse, executive director of the Federation of Women’s Shelters of Quebec, sex workers who experience violence need to be considered. “It’s not because they make that choice that they choose to be abused,” she says in an interview. I don’t see why they should be considered second-rate victims. »
She acknowledges that femicides make a lot more noise in public spaces when it comes to domestic violence, for example.
We always have this vision of the good victim who is not responsible for their fate, but yes, femicide exists in other contexts than domestic violence.
Manon Monastesse, Executive Director of the Federation of Women’s Shelters of Quebec
Not to mention that the connections are sometimes blurrier than one can imagine. “What do we do when the woman is a victim of domestic violence and sexual exploitation by her pimp who is also her spouse? How do we decide? This is not possible, the approach must be global and comprehensive. »
A perverted stigma
The taboos surrounding sex work affect the safety of those who take part, agrees Stéphanie Dubé, co-coordinator of the Intervention Project with Minor Prostitutes (PIAMP).
“Those are the kinds of stories that happen too often. This violence is legitimized by the stigmatization of sex workers and by the criminalization of sex work, meaning that if they feel they are in danger, they will be very reluctant to call the police or the justice system to report the person committing violence against her,” she observes.
In many cases, families are also unaware, adds Ms. Dubé. “Most parents do not want to know that their children are engaged in sex work. »
When a sex worker fears for her safety, she feels less likely to seek help from those close to her.
Data not available
Last year, La Presse filed a request to obtain the coroner’s reports on murdered prostitutes, but the information does not exist. “Generally, coroners don’t mention the occupation of the deceased in their report,” Jake Lamotta Granato, communications manager for the coroner’s office, said via email last April.
“Moreover, the coroner has a duty to protect the dignity, honor, reputation and privacy of the deceased,” continues Mr. Lamotta Granato. For this reason, coroner’s reports, which are public records, are not a source for finding information about the deaths of people involved in sex work. »
With information from Mayssa Ferah and Daniel Renaud, La Presse
Sex workers have been found dead in recent years
Marie Eve Fournier25, killed by Daniel Shlafman in Montreal on November 5, 2021
Vanessa Primeau23, was found on January 23, 2020 in a locked garage where a suspicious fire had broken out
Marylene Levesque22, assassinated by Eustachio Gallese on January 22, 2020
Gerry Sis Thibert26, was killed by Jean Eden’s Lindor on September 18, 2017