They're fed up and want an effective response to violence against women.
That was the message coming from the Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter in preparation for a demonstration outside the New Westminster Police Department on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
"On a regular basis we get calls from women in New Westminster reporting on rape, wife battering, violence from johns and pimps, and in general, we see police failing to respond to those reports," said Hilla Kerner of the Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter.
The demonstration comes only a few weeks after police issued a warning to women "engaged in a high-risk lifestyle" after two online escorts were found dead in an apartment building in New Westminster.
While the cause of death remains unknown at this time, Kerner said the way police handled the announcement was disappointing.
"It hit us in a very soft spot. We're really fighting and demanding the state and police will protect women and the sexist attitude, it just further reveals how the police are refusing to take violence against women seriously."
Kerner alleges police are refusing to uphold prostitution laws established to protect women from johns and pimps, as well as failing to properly investigate cases involving violence against women.
"We're just fed up and outraged about that," she added.
But New Westminster police disagree. The department, which was the first in the province to establish a domestic violence response unit, said they take all cases of violence against women very seriously and to say that police are failing to respond to reports of violence against women is not accurate.
"The dedicated men and women police officers of the NWPD are committed to ensuring these types of offences are vigorously investigated and the perpetrators held accountable where evidence exists to do so," stated a release from the department.
The New Westminster Police Department's domestic violence response unit is made up of one major crime detective and two counsellors from Family Services of Greater Vancouver. Together they handle a variety of cases and provide support to the victims throughout the process, according to the release.
"In addition, the NWPD maintains a highly effective Victim Assistance Unit, consisting of four full-time staff and numerous volunteers who provide 24/7 coverage for all victims of crime in this community," continued the release.
Chief Const. Dave Jones, head of the department, added that anyone with concerns about their complaint should contact the department.
"I want to ensure the citizens and visitors to the City of New Westminster that we take these kinds of complaints of violence against women very seriously. I am highly confident the members of this organization consistently take appropriate and professional action when conducting these investigations, and I would encourage anyone who is concerned their complaint is not being taken seriously to contact our office," he said in the release.
The demonstration was set to start at 10 a.m. on Sept. 11 (today) at the New Westminster Police Department, 555 Columbia St.
