After 11 years of bringing you local reporting, the team behind the Vancouver Observer has moved on to Canada's National Observer. You can follow Vancouver culture reporting over there from now on. Thank you for all your support over the years!

prostitution

Defence lawyer says convicted B.C. pimp deserves 10-year sentence

...but the Crown wants a 20-year sentence for convicted pimp Reza Moazemi.

Sentencing hearing for B.C. pimp convicted of luring teens into sex trade

Reza Moazami was found guilty last September of luring nearly a dozen young girls into prostitution in B.C.'s first human-trafficking conviction.

Ida relives history, John Hamm seeks a Million Dollar Arm and Godzilla stomps again

Also this week is Belle, a classy drama about fighting bigotry and slavery in 18th century England.

BC Indigenous women put fear aside and become powerful leaders in fight for equality

As Idle No More's first year anniversary approaches on Dec.10, Indigenous women in BC are making dents towards equality for Aboriginal people, youth, and women.

Christmas in Vancouver's brothels and sex work strolls

What are the holidays like for one of our city's most marginalized communities? VO brings you into Vancouver's brothels and onto its street corners to find out.

Sex workers call for hate crime law, end to violence

Sex workers and supporters lit candles on the steps of a police detachment as part of a global day of action.

Mother of Pickton victim says cops brushed her off, withheld daughter's possessions

Brushed off by the missing persons unit. Denied even her murdered daughter's possession or photos. A mother speaks out at the Missing Women Inquiry today.

Surrey hit in early-morning cross-Canada police raids

900 officers stage raids over alleged attempted murder, prostitution, firearms and drug trafficking.

Fighting violence against women in Vancouver's sex trade

It's been 22 years since the Montreal massacre. We talk violence against women, and ways to end it, with a survival sex work organizer Jennifer Allan.

Should politicians legalize the sex trade?

I have mixed feelings about the sex trade.  I feel men and women enter the sex trade as a result of many complex social issues such as drug addiction, poverty, and a history of sexual abuse....