By David P. Ball
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Violence has become more common during the pandemic — and more brutal. Women report being afraid to speak out, and pushed into "literal darkness" by police.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, attacks on sex workers have noticeably increased, says Mebrat Beyene, executive director of WISH Drop-in Centre Society, a Vancouver organization that works with them.

And not only has the violence become more common, it has become more brutal in its nature, said Beyene in an interview with The Pulse on CFRO.

But Beyene said that while she appreciates rising public and media attention on the issue — particularly in the wake of a videotape of what has been described as a sexual assault in broad daylight at Main and Hastings streets though which Beyene emphasized only appears to show that, since the alleged survivor is unknown — the rampant gendered violence in the neighbourhood has been bad for a long time and is evidenced in the "bad date" lists her organization collects from sex workers themselves.

It's tragically all too common.

That's why WISH is hoping to open up a new shelter and facility for sex workers on Kingsway Avenue in the new year, and recently spoke about their plans at city council last week. And their existing 24-hour shelter for sex workers — the first of its kind in Canada — continues to receive increased visitors despite challenges with the encroaching Vancouver winter cold and damp.

As of Tuesday, the organization was one-fifth of the way to its winter fundraising goal of $130,000 to maintain its operations.