How many of you have been whistled at, followed, even talked at, and intimidated by men in vehicles looking for sexual gratification, I know I have. Which is exactly why I am writing this.  

It is unbelievable what takes place within the streets of Sault Ste. Marie ON. All year round, winter, spring, summer and fall there is women standing on the corners of Albert Street, Wellington Street,  Blucher Street, and Hughes Street, and these are only the common spots for these women to be seen. Along with these women are men whom are looking for there services.

 Located near these streets are Holy Angels School which has a daycare program within the school and the old St Mary's College, which is now a New technical building, and also surrounding buildings of work and business. Having people soliciting themselves for sexual gratification, hurts the surrounding building close to the areas business. It does not attract customers, simply it drives them away, people with children especially since they do not want their children seeing that. 

Walking down Wellington Street to school, when I had attended Holy Angels I would be followed by old men, vehicles would slow down near me, honk or yell things out their window. When I was wearing basic clothing, this has happened in the winter too, its not like I was wearing revealing clothing or clothing to have them think I was a prostitute, most commonly  I was wearing Jeans and a sweater with my backpack on, There had been times where I've wanted to throw a rock at their vehicle to get them to leave me alone but yet if they called the police I would be the one in trouble for damaging their property.  Keep in mind this is only my story of what happened and there are others out there who have been harassed by these men too. 

There are safety concerns for the public walking on the streets known for prostitution, sure some would say take another street or way, but I have friends and family whom reside on Wellington Street and I must take that way to get there. It is not fair to walk in the alley way because you don't want to be mistaken for a prostitute, or go out of your way to take a different walking route to avoid the areas known for prostitution.

Prostitution is too easily accessible, when these women are standing on the streets for hours in the cold, they are looking to make money. It wouldn't matter if a 10 year old, 14 year old, or a 16 year old, or 55 year old came to them with money and asked for exchanged services. That's the problem I have. It is in no way regulated, anyone of any age can get access to these women and get STDS and/or STIS. I am not a parent however I know that when I do have a child I would not feel safe having them go to the store, or hangout with their friends, or even walking to school because of these people on the streets.  For the young women seeing what is taking place, that can have an effect on them too, they may think its okay and normalize this behavior .

Regulating what is happening may be a solution, putting an end to it may be another solution, but we all know if people are going to do they're sure going to do it. So why not regulate it and make a legitimate business or  have it in the privacy of their own building or home. It's not ideal but we have to compromise, these prostitutes are people too, not all are on drugs or working for drugs, some do it to make a living. Its going to happen and it is happening so why not do something about it.

Make it safe for these women, and everyone else within the community.