REGINA – A citizens’ group with members from community, youth, and church organizations are voicing their opposition to a proposed strip club in Regina, an application which is currently before city council.
“We need to do everything we can to protect the vulnerable people in our city,” said Ed Smith with Freedom Catalyst, a non-governmental organization to end human trafficking.
Ed and Linda Smith are wary of any exploitation of young women. Their daughter was murdered after falling into the hands of human traffickers 24 years ago. Since then, they’ve become advocates and speakers at john schools.
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“I just see a strip club as another thing that’s going to incite men with sexual addiction problems,” said Smith.
Linda added: “I believe this is very degrading to women. Again, somebody mentioned women being objects for men’s sexual appetites, which I believe is wrong.”
The couple is part of a larger group opposing a future night club, which will feature adult entertainment and burlesque. Over a dozen people plan to make presentations at city hall next week, concerned about the link between stripping, prostitution and human trafficking.
“I think it’s just going to have a real social impact on our city,” said citizens’ group organizer Harold Lutzer.
However, the night club owner said the dancers, which will not show any full frontal nudity, are contracted by reputable agencies.
“These girls, they’re professionals in what they do. They do their job it’s not degrading. It’s freedom of speech and going out and having a regular job like anybody else,” said Bryon Gottfredsen in response to the opposition.
He’s applying for the license, but Gottfredsen said whether or not the club even has stripping will depend on Regina’s appetite for it.
Council will vote on whether to approve the application for the strip club on Monday.
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