It was billed as "a tour of the war zone", and it extended from Vancouver's east end right through to Shaughnessy.  For 2 1/2 hours Tuesday, members of the news media were driven around the city in a bus to view locations where women had been sexually assaulted.

In the process they also heard a sharp attack on large department stores, crown corporations, fast food outlets and expensive homes, all of which, according to Rape Relief, contribute in some way to women being raped.

The tour, conducted by Vancouver Rape Relief, was aimed at explaining the need for a "shelter" for battered and assaulted women.  Rape Relief has already raised $25,000 of the needed $150,000. for the shelter from private donations.

Rape Relief worker Lee Lakeman said one in four Canadian women is assaulted sometime during her life, while a Canadian woman is raped every 17 minutes.

When the bus stopped in front of a picture window of a downtown department store in which women's fashions were displayed, Lakeman suggested that dressing stylishly contributes to rape because a rapist is attracted, and you can't run fast in high heels.  And skirts inhibit your ability to run.

She directed the bus to sex shops and nightclubs downtown, which, she said, contribute to the false image of women.

Lakeman also said wealthy homeowners in Vancouver are exploiting immigrant women "who work in these houses and their reality is ignored."

B.C. Hydro also came in for criticism - for wanting to cut back on the number of buses operating in the city.  This, said Lakeman, creates a situation in which women have to find other methods to get home.

She said women are often raped walking home from work.

Driving past a fast-food outlet, Lakeman said young women, women who work in such establishments are compelled to smile at all times, even though they are paid a minimum wage.

"Clearly, they (the young women) are part of what is being sol," she said. "They're not having a swell time.  It's part of how we're controlled as women.