1. Objectifs

Intentions :
In this chapter, the author «begins with an overview of Montreal’s sex trade in the first half of the nineteenth century. Then, [she considers] the violence that sex purveyors encountered both at home and at work before exploring some of the common strategies they instituted to reduce risk. Lastly, [she examines] the consequences of laying charges against perpetrators of aggression and of seeking justice at court.» (p. 17)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
Données documentaires diverses

Type de traitement des données :
Réflexion critique

3. Résumé

Cases of violence perpetrated on sex purveyors discussed in this chapter demonstrate «the complexities and dangers of sex commerce in early nineteenth-century Montreal. Not only did clients, husbands, lovers, kin, neighbours, security men, soldiers, police constables, and watchmen commit aggressive acts on women who marketed sex but so did prostitutes as well. Aggression, ranging from slander and threats to domestic violence, assault and battery, rape, and murder, was part of sex purveyors’ daily experience. Prostitution was plainly dangerous, and authorities largely refused to act. In other words, the criminal justice system offered little security.» (p. 34) The chapter mentions that the «violence and alcohol abuse associated with sex work could precipitate very troubled relations between some mothers and their children. Take the case of Mary Burk, whom William Bingham reported to authorities after he witnessed her severely beating her child on the rue Notre Dame. He was convinced that “the child’s life would be endangered by its being restored to the care of its mother who is a prostitute, a drunkard and a woman of great violence of character.” Bingham’s deposition was unusual, given that authorities during the period under study rarely became involved in issues concerning children; for that matter, elites never expressed moral outrage about boys and girls inhabiting brothels. This disregard was predicated on the belief that parents had almost total authority over their children.» (p. 33)