Rene Ross is the Executive Director of Welcome to another night in the life of a sex worker.
Rene Ross, Executive Director, Stepping Stone
It was a Monday morning three years ago, shortly after the Stepping Stone drop-in centre opened, when Abigail* turned up to report she had been attacked. She wanted the incident added to our "bad date list," the only warning tool available to sex workers in our region when they face threats and acts of violence.
Abigail met a "walking date" in the North End of Halifax. She told us there was nothing about his looks or demeanor that looked "off" or threatening to her. At the time, she was working in a well-known stroll area with a significant police presence.