Yorkshire Ripper

[micmak]

The son of one of the YR's victims has just been on the local news. He stated that every time a woman was murdered it was always stated that she was a prostitute. He asked "does that make her any less worthy of justice" I totally agree with him. When someone is murdered the media don't go over the top with checkout girl or school teacher. Yet when it is a "sex worker" the word prostitute is in nearly every sentence reported.

[hc4361]

Prostitutes are a high risk, specific group. It is vital that other sex workers know there is a killer targeting them and it helps to stop a panic amongst OAPs returning from their shopping trips.
As far as I am aware, the Ripper's victims have justice inasmuch as Peter Sutcliffe will never be freed. The High Court stated this recently.
What point was the victim's son trying to make?

[karenmac60]

I would guess it was Richard McCann who has previously stated that his mother (Wilma McCann) was NOT a prostitute as has always been stated. He has said that it was hard enough for him and his siblings coming to terms with their mother's death, but that it became a subject of gossip amongst other parents and school friends that their mum was a sex worker. His sister found it impossible to come to terms with her mum's murder and the associations that followed all 3 children. She committed suicide a few years ago.

[sara3]

unfortunately, there is no other available justice for her death, other than his life sentence.

this Jo Yeates case.. I've heard the word "architect" every time it's been on the news.

[tiggerblue10]

I agree with hc. They are great risks involved in that line of work and they are just trying to bring it to the attention of other sex workers. Every human is worthy of justice.

[hc4361]

Thinking about it, there always seems to be a lot of interest in the murder victim - not just the age, sex and occupation but the background, social life and hobbies. If the victim, no matter how innocent, is a bit 'different' it is always stressed by the media.
If there is no sort of oddity the media can drag up, they refer to the victim in flowery, positive, glowing terms.

[sandyRoe]

I remember that at least two of the Rippers victims were 'ordinary decent women', as the press put it. You'd get the impression that they thought the others were fair game.
I think sex workers come to that job because of poverty or drug addiction. The danger that they face from their customers should make society think of legalized brothels.

[micmak]

I have read all the comments and I agree with hc's last post. The son in question was only 5 at the time of the murder. Imagine the stigma that boy went through while he was still too young to understand.

[micmak]

I totally agree with you Sandy, on both your points.

[bednobs]

mmmm, i don't necessarily agree. The recent murder of Jo yeates, in the press she is ALWAYS described "landscape arcitect", so i think they just state the job

[bednobs]

whoops , just seen saras answers

[haysi06]

Hi micmak, I agree with you 110%., and am afraid it's sensationalism journalism at it's worst.

[netibiza]

People do seem to look down on prostitutes and it's a sad world that we are so condemnatory. They have as much right to justice as anyone else, they are more vulnerable than most. It is a shame that they have to do this work, and it should be legalised and made safer all round.

[chelle7272]

It's the same with reports about Stephen Griffiths (self rpoclimed crossbow cannibal). headlines always state he murdered prostitutes, never simply women.
Completely unnecessary and so awful for those that cared about the victims.

[Ric.ror]

I think he was invited on to the news as it was the 30 anniversary of the Ripper being caught.
As for the press labelling the victims as Prostitutes I spoke to a relative of one of Stephen Griffiths victims a few days ago and amongst the most upsetting aspects was the use of the word as if it devalued her life in someway