On Campus

Former sex worker found dead

Wendy Babcock was advocate for safer sex work

Wendy Babcock, a prostitue-turned-law school student, has been found dead at the age of 32 in her Toronto home.

Babcock gained attention in 2009 after she progressed from homeless teenage prostitute to advocate for safer sex work and then to law student at York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School.

A police spokesperson said there were no signs of foul play, reports the Toronto Star.

Babcock had attempted suicide on several occasions.

Among her achievements was the founding of a group that compiles information on bad sex work clients and her work with Street Health, which prompted an award from former Toronto mayor David Miller.

Babcock was raised in an abusive home and began selling sex at age 15. Her work forced her to give up her son to social services. Eventually, she quit prostitution and attended George Brown College. After succeeding there, she gained admission to Osgoode Hall, despite not having the required university credits. She had successfully completed the first two years of the four-year degree when she was found dead.

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