Georgina Perry, Open Doors, providing outreach support and advice to sex workers, and Julie Bindel, argue about Trafficking and the Olympics.  This was aired on the BBC Womans Hour Thursday 19th January.

Listen here Thu Jan 19 12;49;22 2012

 

 

John Mann is attempting to bring in a private members bill to criminalise purchase of sex from under 21 years olds.  The present limit is 18, though John Mann seems to think it is 16.

There is an important debate to be held on the rights and wrongs of prostitution and the laws that should have an impact on it, by my Bill does not deal with that. My Bill does one thing: it raises the threshold for the illegality of paying for sex. Of course there is a threshold, which is currently 16. Where someone is under 16, the huge consequences of the criminal law and imprisonment are involved because of the age of consent. But the moment the victim becomes older than 16 there are no punitive powers to deal with the person who is paying.

John Mann needs to get his facts straight before attempting this bill. Secondly raising the age from 18 to 21.  Why?  At 18 you can go to Afghanistan and fight and be killed, so why should an 18 year old be protected from making their own decision on sex work when they can make pretty well all other major decisions in life.

The names on the bill:

John Mann, Fiona Mactaggart, Natascha Engel, Mrs Louise Ellman, Gavin Shuker and Siobhain McDonagh

 

 

 

Date: Wednesday 25 January 2012
Time: 5:45 pm
Venue: John Snow, LSHTM, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
Type of event: Presentation
Speaker(s): Julie Ham, GAATW, Marlise Richter, International Centre for Reproductive Health, Ghent University, Joanna Busza, LSHTM
Chair(s): tbc

 

Abstract: In the lead up to the 2012 Olympic Games, concerns have been raised about the possibility of an increase in trafficking for sexual exploitation linked to the event. Similar rumours were circulated prior to other international sporting events, including the World Cup in Germany and South Africa, the Olympics in Athens and Vancouver, and the US Super Bowl. Yet once the fans go home, the media loses interest, and little is heard about the consistent lack of evidence for any rise in sex trafficking. Recent research demonstrates that anti-trafficking measures put into place in a range of countries have proved irrelevant, or harmful in cases where sex workers become increasingly criminalised and unable to access health and social programmes. As the 2012 Olympics come to London, this seminar will review the international evidence on trafficking, sex work and sports events, consider public health implications, and ask to what extent police and local authorities here in the UK are basing their policies on evidence.

Discussion Panel: Nivedita Prasad, Ban Ying Counseling and Coordination Center against Trafficking, Berlin Catherine Stephens, International Union of Sex Workers, London Georgina Perry, Open Doors, NHS Service for Newham, Hackney & Tower Hamlets

Refreshments will be made available at the end of the presentation.

Admission: Free and open to all with no ticket required. Entry is on a first come, first served basis.

Contact: Joanna Busza
Email: Joanna.Busza@lshtm.ac.uk
More information:http://www.gaatw.org/publications/WhatstheCostofaRumour.11.15.2011.pdf

Location map and directions to all LSHTM buildings

7th January 2012

For immediate release.

Ground-breaking trial redefines obscenity law. 
The International Union of Sex Workers is delighted by the unanimous verdicts of “not guilty” on all counts in the trial of Michael Peacock that concluded at Southwark Crown Court on Friday 6th January.

Michael’s courage and determination in pursuing this case was the first challenge to the Obscene Publications Act 1959 for many years. Understandably, most people charged with offences under this Act plead guilty as an innocent plea followed by a court case that returns a guilty verdict will result in a harsher sentence. This has the effect of leaving police and CPS opinion of what is “obscene” untested.

The DVDs that were the subject of this prosecution were sold through Michael’s website, sleazymichael.com, and on Craigslist. They contained scenes of male fisting, urination and BDSM. Michael was charged with six counts of publishing obscene articles likely to “deprave and corrupt”. The jury saw a substantial amount of the content which the police and CPS deemed illegal and required less than two hours deliberation to return unanimous not guilty verdicts on all counts.  Therefore material showing the activities depicted is no longer defined as obscene in law.

It’s time to decriminalise sex between consenting adults. 
Lady Chatterley trial of 1960 (R v Penguin Books) is still quoted as precedent in obscenity trials; the jury’s response in R v Peacock shows public opinion has clearly moved on considerably.

Catherine Stephens, activist with the International Union of Sex Workers, says, “In a week that has also seen the collapse of the Sheila Farmer trial for brothel keeping, it is time to decriminalise the sexual activities of consenting adults, whether or not they are in front of a camera. These two trials were an appalling waste of public resources: the law as it stands does nothing to enhance the safety either of the general public or those who work in the adult industry and often actively increases the dangers we face.”

Michael Peacock says, “Responsible treatment of pornography would allow adults who want to access sexually explicit materials freedom to do so and protect those who are underage or do not wish to view such content. The current legal framework fails to do either of these things. I give my thanks to my legal team at Hodge Jones Allen, the judge who heard my case and the twelve people who served on the jury whose maturity and commonsense has changed the law.”

Hazel Eracleous, Chair of Backlash comments, “Backlash is delighted that a jury decided it is no longer appropriate to prosecute people based on consensual adult sexual activity. We support the rights of adults to participate in all consensual sexual activities and to watch, read and create any fictional interpretation of such in any media. We will continue to raise awareness of the unseen consequences of these draconian laws, provide legal advice and defend those same consenting adults caught up in the Extreme Pornography and Obscene Publication laws.”

Myles Jackman, solicitor at Hodge Jones Allen with a specialist interest in obscenity cases states, “This case shows the Obscene Publications Act is no longer effective in the age of the internet.”

Jerry Barnett, Chairman of the Adult Industry Trade Association (AITA), says, “We congratulate Michael Peacock on his victory. The idea that depictions of consenting adult sexual activity can be deemed obscene is a throwback to an earlier age. The adult industry continues to develop and adopt technologies that prevent children from accessing sexual content. We see no need for adults to be protected from it – a free society should protect the rights of adults to participate in any consenting sexual act they choose.”

For further information contact:

Catherine Stephens
activist, International Union of Sex Workers
catherine@iusw.org
07772 638748
The IUSW is an organisation of people in adult services and entertainment and allies that campaigns for evidence-based policy and practice that protects the human rights and safety of those involved in the adult industry and includes meaningful consultation of those most affected.

Hazel Eracleous, Chair of Backlash
contact@backlash-uk.org.uk
Backlash is an umbrella organisation providing legal, academic and campaigning resources defending freedom of sexual expression. We support the rights of adults to participate in all consensual sexual activities and to watch, read and create any fictional interpretation of such in any media.

Jerry Barnett, Chairman of the Adult Industry Trade Association (AITA)
jerry@aita.co.uk
07921 339 776
The Adult Industry Trade Association (AITA) was created to support businesses, services and individuals in the adult industry within the UK. AITA aims to bring together anyone working within the adult sector, whatever their speciality.

 

Sheila Farmer, a sex worker who worked with other women from premises for safety had charges of brothel-keeping dismissed today in Croydon Crown Court. She worked with other women since being viciously raped and attacked whilst working alone.

 

Ms Farmer left court with over 20 supporters delighted and relieved that she no longer faces a criminal conviction and possible prison sentence. Ms Farmer suffers from severe diabetes and a malignant brain tumour. Her doctor had provided evidence that an onerous and stressful trial would have exacerbated her condition.

 

Sheila Farmer who is available for interview commented:

“Whilst I’m relieved not to be facing trial I am angry that I was prosecuted. Will the person who made that decision now be held accountable for the 18 months of distress and upset I have suffered while waiting for this case to come to court? Safety and survival has always been my priority. Like hundreds of other women I was working to support my son and more recently to pay for cancer treatment. I would never have got through this ordeal without the English Collective of Prostitutes. Without campaigning we may not have got this result.”  Film of Ms Farmer here (starts at 6min).

 

Cari Mitchell, English Collective of Prostitutes commented:

“Sheila Farmer’s bravery in publicly fighting these charges should be commended. She, like many other sex workers, should never have been forced to choose between safety and legality. Why is it legal to work alone but not with others? The prostitution laws are endangering women and should be abolished. Why are police wasting time and money prosecuting sex workers while rapists and racists go free?”

 

Ms Farmer’s trial was thrown out because of police and prosecution incompetence – witnesses had not been asked to attend court and a key witness could not be found.  Ms Farmer has attended court six times and the case has been listed to start on two previous occasions.

 

How much public money has been squandered on this investigation and prosecution?  How many other investigations are being neglected as a result?

 

The conviction of two of Stephen Lawrence’s murderers reminds us once again that the priorities of police and prosecution fly in the face of public opinion. Why did it take 18 years to try and convict these dangerous criminals while sex workers who do no harm are quickly arrested and jailed? The ECP has received multiple reports of violent robberies by a gang of five men in East London. The only police action has been to threaten the victims with prosecution. Why are women who report violence arrested while their attackers are not pursued?

 

Ms Farmer’s legal team requested figures on the number of attacks against sex workers to demonstrate the high level of violence they face when working alone and the need for protection. The Metropolitan police said that no such figures are gathered. Why not? How can prostitution law and policy be assessed if their impact on sex workers’ safety and welfare is not known?

 

Ms Farmer was represented by solicitor Nigel Richardson, Hodge, Jones and Allen and barrister Anna Morris, Garden Court Chambers. Supporters in court included representatives from Women Against Rape, the Sex Worker Open University and X:talk.

 

Notes to editor

1.    The brothel-keeping laws used against Ms Farmer criminalise “two or more prostitutes living together or sharing premises for work”. Along with the prostitution laws generally they undermine safety by preventing sex workers from working together for safety and deterring those who have suffered violence from reporting to the police for fear of arrest.

 

2.    The Association of Chief Police Officers recently suggested New Zealand-style decriminalisation which has improved sex workers’ safety and rights.

 

3.    Prosecutions for brothel-keeping and other prostitution charges have risen since the 2002 Proceeds of Crime Act.[1]  Under that law, the police keep 50% of assets confiscated during raids and 25% from subsequent prosecutions, with the Crown Prosecution Service keeping another 25%. Concerns have been raised that this desire to profit is fuelling raids and arrests, distorting police priorities and encouraging police corruption.

 

[1]  Prosecutions for brothel-keeping rose from 3 in 2004, to 11 in 2005, to 39 in 2006, to 41 in 2007 (Answers to Lord Faulkner, Hansard 15 January 2009).

 

English Collective of Prostitutes

Crossroads Women’s Centre

230A Kentish Town Road

London NW5 2AB

Tel: 020 7482 2496/07811 964 171

Fax: 020 7209 4761

ecp@prostitutescollective.net 

www.prostitutescollective.net

A few recent videos.  The first from ZJemptv girlfriend Heather purports to compare extreme feminists with sex positive feminists. It though is very much from the sex work abolitionist  view point.  It even takes a recent poster from Turn Off the Blue Light poster campaign and accuses them of cherry picking sex workers. As if Sex-Negative feminists don’t cherry pick their research citations.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Some good replies from sex positive feminists. A great reply from a sex worker amyi, turn up the volume on this it is very quiet.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

And reply from the thecryptqueen

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

And reply from BobChaos23, a quote by quote argument with Heather

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

And reply from Divinity33372

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

A tongue in cheek riposte about women crimping and preening.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Smiling Skeptic Listening and Learning (and sex workers’ rights)

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Legalisation or Decriminalisation

Lovely cat in the video for cat lovers.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Some follows you may want to subscribe to.

http://www.youtube.com/user/YeOldeHeretic

http://www.youtube.com/user/FeministWhore

http://www.youtube.com/user/thecryptqueen

http://www.youtube.com/user/xxxild

http://twitter.com/BobChaos23

http://twitter.com/xxxild

http://twitter.com/FemWho

http://twitter.com/torridity

http://twitter.com/DreamersEopykJK

 

We love Google, we all use Google and look for good rankings in Google search to advertise are business.  Google can do no evil, or can it.

Google can be a hindrance to sex workers.   Google does not allow paid adverts for escort services.  Try entering London Escort in search, and for the paid for adverts you can end up with many offensive dating adverts. Offensive to sex workers.  Just my luck I was looking for an example and there are none today.    Turn off the Blue Light the Irish sex worker group campaigning against pending Irish legislation  wanted to advertise their campaign against the Irish Government using Google Adwords, and ended up with the same problem, Google would not accept the advert.  Eventually after mush protest Google finally relented.

Recently Google donated funds to anti slavery organisations to fight slavery and trafficking.  They could not have chosen organisations worse for sex worker rights.  Three of these organisations  supported by Google,  International Justice Mission, Polaris and Not For Sale are no friends of sex workers.  I followed Polaris on twitter for a while, and eventually grew fed up with their tweets on sex worker client/ manager busts in various cities around the world conflating consensual sex work with trafficking and slavery and under age prostitution.

Recently there has been a campaign against Google organised by Swaay.   I hope there is another campaign in January and that we can coordinate our own one for the same time in London.

Reviewing my Google+ account I came across this excellent article written by Monique Tracy Stuart Troth  who clearly explains why Google should not support these three organisations.  I have taken the liberty to quote her post here for you to be able to read.  The article Google gives back.

 

“As someone who has been researching and writing about slavery and trafficking since 2005, I worry that the overall desire to help on the part of Google has overridden a lot of details that must be understood if we are going to find a way to rid the world of trafficking and slavery. The most harmful and least understood of these details is the importance of supporting organizations that distinguish between consensual sex work and sexual slavery (something the State Department finally does and something NGOs must do to really help combat this blight).

International Justice Mission is a Christian group whose abolitionist practices are founded in morality, which casts anyone involved in sex work, coerced or not, into the role of victim in need of salvation. Their crackdowns on the sex industry is driving prostitution further underground, making it difficult for law enforcement to find real victims, and impossible for sex workers who have information about crimes to step forward.

The Polaris Project is little different. One look over their materials exposes their position on consensual sex work: they see no difference between a sex slave and a topless dancer. It’s also worth noting that they were one of the organizations on the forefront of the attack on Craigslist that resulted in the removal of the erotic services section. The problem with efforts like these is that people involved in sex trafficking will not cease their activities because a single avenue is closed off. Almost immediately after the section was closed, listings for adult services began to appear in other sections of Craigslist — in sections that do not require payment for postings, meaning there is no paper trail to follow for law enforcement.

While opponents of Craigslist may shake fists screaming about how Craigslist “profited” from sex trafficking, it is important to remember that the system of payment for adult services was instituted to create a record. That’s how Boston authorities managed to apprehend the Craigslist Killer, Philip Markoff. Censoring Craigslist moved these activities to locations within the site where there is no paper trail, making it hard for law enforcement to locate and crack down on perpetrators. Continued pressure to remove these sorts of sites altogether (such as that leveled against the Village Voice for Backpage ads at the hands of Ashton Kutcher and the organizations with which his own DNA Foundation is aligned, among them Polaris; Shared Hope International, an organization that fights child sex trafficking by educating men about “the dangers of engaging in commercial sex markets, especially pornography”; and Citizens Against Trafficking, which continuously launches smear campaign against sex educators, whom they believe are the cause of all these problems) will result in moving these activities underground where law enforcement will have an even more difficult time helping victims.

Censoring a site is an easy victory. It gets organizations more money and it gets politicians elected. Never mind that neither of these has actually done anything to help victims. That’s not where it ends, either, unfortunately. The inability of these organizations to see a difference between sex work and trafficking means that efforts to censor will continue beyond sites like Craigslist: pornography is frequently a target and we’re not just talking about nude magazines and independent sites (where do you draw the line? Remember when Lady Chatterley’s Lover was considered obscene?). Sex educators are also consistently attacked, as are any groups whose desires don’t fall into the cookie-cutter moral ideal of what sex should be.

Ignorance on the topic, willful and not, and the willingness of people to exploit this lack of information in pursuit of a moral agenda or political gain results in inaction and very dangerous legislation that affect all victims of slavery.

E. Benjamin Skinner, author of A Crime So Monstrous — an expose about modern day slavery in various forms — has been a vocal advocate of the necessity of not only differentiating between the sex industry and sex trafficking, but also giving the same amount of attention to other forms of slavery, often overshadowed by sensationalism surrounding accounts of sex trafficking:

“The West’s efforts have been, from the outset, hamstrung by a warped understanding of slavery,” he says in A World Enslaved. “Though eradicating prostitution may be a just cause, Western policies based on the idea that all prostitutes are slaves and all slaves are prostitutes belittles the suffering of all victims.”

The inability to see the differences between sex work and slavery thwarts efforts and taxes resources set aside for identifying, freeing and protecting actual victims of slavery, because those working to help victims become diverted with matters of consensual prostitution, which should be handled by local law enforcement as necessary, and which, though a crime in most places, is nowhere as severe as slavery of any kind.

Not for Sale also conflates consensual adult sex work and forced sexual slavery and rape. Their stance against the partial decriminalization of sex work among consenting adults in a 2008 San Francisco ballot initiative more than illustrates their position. Allowing this initiative, known as Proposition K, to pass would have brought the underground to the surface, making it easier for sex workers to work with law enforcement to nab abusers and rapists, and to find real victims of sexual slavery. The moralizing, driven in part by Not for Sale, led to the failure of Proposition K.

So, no. I am not glad that Google is supporting these organizations.”

 

 

 

The International Union of Sex Workers warmly welcomes the Home Office announcement of funds for a pilot scheme UK wide Ugly Mugs scheme, to be run by the UK Network of Sex Work Projects and launched in spring 2012. While sex workers are criminalised for working together, we will remain fearful of contacting the police to report crimes against us – Ugly Mugs schemes offer sex workers a safe way to report to a third party, enabling the investigation of criminals who often target sex workers, knowing our fear of the police.

Below is the text released today by the  UK Network of Sex Work Projects.

December 17th is the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, created to draw attention to crimes committed against sex workers all over the world. It has become a day when sex workers and allies in towns and cities from around the world come together and organize against discrimination and remember victims of violence (Note 1). This year is particularly pertinent in the UK five years on from the tragic murders of five women in Ipswich. During this week UK Network of Sex Work Projects is pleased to announce that they will be coordinating a pilot of a UK wide Ugly Mugs scheme funded by the Home Office, which will be launched in spring 2012. UKNSWP carried out a feasibility study for such a scheme during 2010-2011 funded by the home office. Local Ugly Mugs schemes are third party reporting schemes which encourage sex workers to report crimes against them and aid in the investigation and prosecution of offenders who are a danger to sex workers and the wider community of which sex workers are a part. Ugly Mugs was originally developed by sex workers themselves to alert each other to dangerous individuals. Many sex workers are still reluctant to report crimes against them to the police for a number of reasons for example: fear of arrest, fear of not being taken seriously or treated with respect and fear of being publicly identified. The stigma attached to sex work and criminalisation of sex work create barriers to reporting, as the police are responsible for both protecting sex workers and enforcing the laws on sex work. In this unsatisfactory situation it is important to have practical ways sex workers can access public protection and justice. The Home Office decision to fund a UK wide pilot is the outcome of the efforts of many people including: sex work projects, sex workers’ organisations and the police. This scheme has the full support of the National Association of Police Officers Lead on Prostitution & Sexual Exploitation. This scheme will link existing local schemes run by sex work projects and sex worker online forums so all reports about crimes against sex workers can be centrally collated. It will also provide a means for sex workers themselves to report crimes committed against them and to receive warnings about perpetrators. UKNSWP has local member projects who have seen ugly mugs initiatives play a major role in investigating crimes and bringing offenders to justice. UKNSWP believes a UK wide scheme can play a role in preventing, murder, rape and other crimes committed against sex workers through; increased reporting better intelligence, earlier identification, detection and increased prosecution of repeat, mobile and dangerous offender Rosie Campbell, UKNSWP Board Member/ACPO Liaison commented “The safety of sex workers is a priority for UKNSWP and our member projects. This is a very important step in recognising sex workers’ rights to public protection from the police and criminal justice system. It is a practical initiative to encourage reporting by sex workers of crimes against them and to help in the detection and conviction of offenders who target sex workers and other members of the community. UKNSWP is proud to have the opportunity to coordinate this pilot scheme & we look forward to working with others to develop the scheme”. SAAFE (Support and Advice For Escorts) Forum commented “Sex workers have always collaborated to protect ourselves and SAAFE Forum is glad to have worked with UKNSWP in the development of UK wide ugly mugs. We very much welcome government support of this vital work”. ACPO lead on prostitution, Assistant Commissioner Simon Byrne said “ACPO has been actively supportive of the UK Network of Sex Work Projects led national “Ugly Mugs” development project since its inception and welcomes the continued Home Office support for the roll-out of the scheme. This is a real opportunity to protect vulnerable people from violent sex attacks.” Contacts Lorraine Galatowicz Chair UKNSWP chair@uknswp.org.uk 07811442479 Rosie Campbelll UKNSWP Board & ACPO Liaison rosiecamp1@aol.com 07870695883 UKNSWP Administrator admin@uknswp.org.uk 01616299861 Notes Note 1: To read more about International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers and learn more about events taking place globally go to http://www.swopusa.org/dec17/ Note 2: UK Network of Sex Work Projects is a non-profit, voluntary association of agencies & individuals working with sex workers. It enables networking activities through which projects who provide frontline services to sex workers can share good practice. UKNSWP’s mission statement is to “promote the health, safety, civil and human rights of sex workers, including their right to live free from violence, intimidation, coercion or exploitation, to engage in the work as safely as possible, and to receive high quality health and other services”.

17th December 2011

For immediate release.

IUSW marks International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, December 17th

Home Office funds UK wide Ugly Mugs scheme
The International Union of Sex Workers warmly welcomes the Home Office announcement of funds for a pilot scheme UK wide Ugly Mugs scheme, to be run by the UK Network of Sex Work Projects and launched in spring 2012. While sex workers are criminalised for working together, we will remain fearful of contacting the police to report crimes against us – Ugly Mugs schemes offer sex workers a safe way to report to a third party, enabling the investigation of criminals who often target sex workers, knowing our fear of the police.

ACPO support International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers
We also welcome the first ever ACPO support of International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. The police often see at first hand the harmful effects of the current legislation, and the inherent contradiction between their roles of prosecution and protection. For ACPO to recognise that “the safety of people engaged in sex work must be paramount to the police service,” to quote the Strategy for Policing  Prostitution and Sexual  Exploitation, released in November 2011 is a sea change from the priorities that too often hold sway.

London is getting it wrong
Meanwhile, sex workers in London are increasingly afraid of the authorities. Anti-sex work organisations have used the 2012 Olympics to create political pressure based on their ideological opposition to women selling sex. The IUSW and UKNSWP, together with fifteen other signatories – from organisations of people in the sex industry and front-line services, as well as academics with expertise on migration, trafficking and the sex industry – have written to Boris Johnson and members of the London Assembly to say that London is getting it wrong on prostitution, and endangering the lives of people in the sex industry.

Vulnerability creates victims
The vulnerability of people in the sex industry is increased by our social exclusion and our criminalisation. Gary Ridgway, the “Green River Killer” who murdered at least 71 women, said, “I picked prostitutes as victims because they were easy to pick up without being noticed. I knew they would not be reported missing right away and might never be reported missing … I thought I could kill as many of them as I wanted without getting caught.”

The IUSW campaigns for adoption of the “Merseyside Model” nationwide, in which crime against sex workers is treated as hate crime. Under this regime in Liverpool, there is a 68% detection rate for rapes committed against sex workers and a 90% conviction rate for other crimes of violence.

Catherine Stephens, an activist with the IUSW, says “People in the sex industry deserve the same protection of the law as everyone else. We will only have this when prostitution is decriminalised – we know this works from the experience of New Zealand and decriminalised areas of Australia.”

For further information contact:

Catherine Stephens, activist, International Union of Sex Workers
catherine@iusw.org
07772 638748 / 020 7697 1057
IUSW c/o MSH Suite C Maples Business Centre 144 Liverpool Road London N1 1LA

Lorraine Galatowicz, Chair,  UKNSWP
chair@uknswp.org.uk
07811442479
UKNSWP 114 Cariocca Business Park Sawley Road Manchester M40 8BB

Greater numbers of students in England are turning to prostitution to fund their education, the National Union of Students (NUS) claims.

The NUS also says students are turning to gambling and taking part in medical experiments to fund their studies.

It says increased living costs and fees, and cuts to the education maintenance allowance, play a part.

But the government says it offers students a “generous package” of financial support.  Full article article can be found here, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-16157522

Laura Lee a Glasgow escort and sexwork activist who has been working as an escort for 16 years was invited to participate in the Radio 5 Live program.

All the clips are started with a sad story of a woman Claire who started to fund her A level by working for an escort agency. This set the scene that prostitution is damaging to the individual, it also set the prospect that agencys will recruit 16 year olds to work for them, breaking the law and criminalising the client.   She though did not start until 18, but soon stopped working as an escort.  Sex work was undoubtedly unsuitable for her and she left.  We must not forget they she made the decision to start, and stop.  I do wonder where the researches find their subjects.

The first clip is an introduction by Estelle Hart from the National Union of Students, and some follow up information from the English Collective of Prostitutes.  The ECP spokesperson says there has been an increase of young people coming to them from advice.

Estelle Hart National Union of Students on BBC Live 5 14th December

The second clip an introduction to research by Dr Ron Roberts from Kingston University.  He has found an increase in the number of students who would consider sex work to fund their tuition.  This is up now 16% of the student population.

Dr Ron Roberts University of Kingston BBC 5 Live 14th December

The third clip is about 10 minutes long where Laura made her very good points, and argued against many sex worker stereotypes.  Laura has seen many new young people enter sex work, whether this is student fees or the recession.  She has no regrets entering the sex industry, it was a career choice.  For students they must be made aware of all the facts to make an informed decision.  Laura introduces the buddy scheme where old hands are teamed up with newbies  to help the newbies from making mistakes.  She mentions the upside, (travel, meeting nice people) and the downside  (legislation and stigma).  There is no moral down side, and sex work should be treated like any other job, and as a job does not affect her romatic relationships outside of work.

Laura Lee on BBC Live 5 14th December

Racheal, presenter, tries and says there is this Belle de Jour myth, and that most sex workers are controlled and work for pimps, and tries to intimate Laura is privileged.  Laura counters this with her knowledge of women through out the layers of the industry, and says this is not true at all. (This is reiterated by a number of callers later on).

Laura counters the tax argument, by saying she already pays tax.

The fourth longer clip (1 hour) is the phone in. (Sorry I have not edited out the news and sports news yet).  In the first half Laura also spoke, as well as Peter Stringfellow, along with several phone ins. For all you strippers and lap dancers, Peter Stringfellow does not consider you are sex workers, but entertainers.

The second half of the phone in had the Abolitionist Finn MacKay speaking and no Laura) Unfortunately there was nobody who could then counter the exaggerated rhetoric from Finn.  Examples are that 5000 under age women are being raped every night on the streets by clients.  That the decriminalisation in New Zealand and Australia brings large increases in the illegal sector.   Nothing was said  by those on the legalisation/decriminalisation side that we don’t want Navada brothels, but total decriminalisation.   Please BBC if you have an expert on one side of the argument, then please have an expert on the other side as well.

Phone in on BBC Live 5 14th December

 

 

KEY SPEAKER: TIM BARNETT

New Zealand MP who introduced decriminalisation
He is in London only for one day. Don’t miss him!

Tent City University, Occupy London Stock Exchange, St Paul’s, EC4M 8AD
Tim Barnett sponsored the 2003 Prostitution Reform Act which decriminalised prostitution in New Zealand, making it the first country to do so. This is the model law based on the demands of sex workers for health and safety. Find out how it was won and its impact so far — a five year review found sex workers are safer and have more rights. This talk couldn’t be better timed as even the Association of Chief Police Officers is suggesting New Zealand-style decriminalisation. Tim Barnett now lives in South Africa and is working with sex workers, community organisations and politicians for similar law change there.
Other speakers

Thierry Schaffauser, founder of STRASS, the French sex workers’ union, will speak on widespread opposition to France’s attempts to criminalise clients.

The English Collective of Prostitutes on the impact of the cuts, welfare reform and increased criminalisation, especially on women and children. Since the 2009 Policing and Crime Act rape, assaults, arrests, prosecutions, and police theft, racism and illegality are up; criminal records are trapping more women and young people in prostitution.

Support Sheila Farmer, up in court 3 Jan 2012 on charges of brothel-keeping for working collectively with friends.

I’ve been reading the report from the recent inquiry on human trafficking, chaired as it was by Baroness Helena Kennedy. The link to the report is here.
In total the report came up with ten findings, the most relevant to the sex industry being number one -

Scotland needs to have a comprehensive strategy to prevent and tackle human trafficking.

I can only agree with that, because as it stands, the “strategies” being adopted by the various police forces are diverse, to say the least. Firstly, there is Edinburgh, where there is a tolerance of parlours and to some extent, working flats also. The police there will visit the parlours regularly and ensure that the women are working of their own accord and are not being forced to do any acts they are unhappy with. In general “Indie’s” are left alone to get on with their work, which is the way it should be.

Ms. Kennedy was quoted as saying that the police “aren’t doing anything” which in the case of Strathclyde’s finest in Glasgow, is untrue and unfair. In Glasgow they have been leafleting inner city flats with flyers in several different languages and where there have been foreign nationals present they have been raiding. Again, they seem to be leaving the Indie’s alone.

However, in Aberdeen, there is a whole new approach being taken. I have taken the following passage from a leaflet issued by Quay Services in Aberdeen.

“Grampian Police are under duty to respond to any concerns regarding criminal activity from members of the public. If someone e.g. housekeeping/hotel staff, neighbours etc alert the Police to any activity that is deemed by them as suspicious e.g. different individuals coming to and from a flat, different women coming and going from a flat, noises that would indicate that the property was being used for sex etc, then the Police may visit the property.

This is because they are looking for any criminal activity related to prostitution and looking to ensure the safety of off-street sex workers.

Their main concerns include:

* Ensuring women’s safety
* Ensuring that there is no coercion/force i.e. human trafficking and making sure that the women present are working of their own free will
* Confirmation of identity i.e. women are who they say they are
* The prevention of bigger crimes – Grampian Police are of the opinion that this method of engaging with off-street sex workers may help to prevent larger scale crimes such as robberies and attacks on women by punters. It is hoped that by building a better rapport and trust with Grampian Police, women may feel more comfortable and able to inform Police about crimes committed against them, and ultimately feel more protected by Grampian Police.
* Grampian Police are keen to share information with off-street sex workers regarding dodgy punters and also wish to provide safety advice.

If the Police do come to your door, they will be looking to ascertain that you are working of your own free will and that you are working within the boundaries of the law. The main objective of the Police is to establish that women are working of their own free will and are not being commercially sexually exploited.

What normally happens next is that the Police will take your photograph – they do this because if something happened to you then they would be able to identify you more quickly and would help inform their investigation. The photograph is only seen by a small team of Officers who are working within the sex industry department of Grampian Police.

The Police will also take your contact details and run them through the Police National Computer (PNC check), a computer database system that is used by law enforcement agencies across the UK. They are looking for any outstanding warrants or any previous criminal convictions that they should be aware of. This is no different to what happens with ‘on-street’ sex workers.

If you are with a punter when Grampian Police turn up, they also will take a photograph and personal details from the punter (if he/she is present at the time of the Police visit). The punter’s details are also run through the PNC. This is also for your safety, to ensure that the punter is not a dangerous criminal or is wanted by the Police.

As long as there is no evidence of criminal activity or brothel keeping, then the Police will take no action. After Grampian Police have visited and are satisfied that you are working independently, they will ask you to call or text them next time that you are working in Aberdeen. This is because: if a hotel or serviced flat, for example, do contact them again with the same issues such as men coming to and from the property, then they will be able to confirm that you are not doing anything illegal. Then it is up to the individual establishment to decide whether they wish to take any action, such as asking you to leave.

The decision to ask you to leave is made by the venue and not at the insistence of Grampian Police, unless they have had a specific complaint.
Grampian Police wish to establish a good rapport with women working in prostitution. They want to help prevent crimes happening against you e.g. punter robberies, brothel involvement etc. By communicating with the Police about when you are working in Aberdeen, they endeavour to be able to pass onto you any information that is relevant to your wellbeing, such as giving details of a dodgy punter for you to look out for. And vice versa.”

So let me just sum that up for you. Where there is a well known independent escort working quite legally in Aberdeen, the police will come to the premises and in spite of the fact she has committed no crime, they will take her name, her photograph and that of her client, who has also committed no crime. Lest we forget, this is in case of “trafficking”. The bit that really irked me was this – “Then it is up to the individual establishment to decide whether they wish to take any action, such as asking you to leave.” So picture the scene, plod arrive at a hotel and explain to the management that they are paying a visit to room 123 because there is a prostitute working there. OF COURSE THEY’RE GOING TO WANT HER OUT. So this “welfare” visit being conducted by the police amounts to little more than ensuring the lady is flung out of her accommodation, exactly how does that go towards ensuring her safety ?

As for the claim that only a select few of the vice unit will have the information gleaned, I’m confident that that’s not the case either. The lady’s details will be recorded on internal police intelligence files and she will be tagged as a “known prostitute”. In real terms that means that if and when she ever applies for a Disclosure Scotland check, she will be turned down for any job that involves working with vulnerable people, such as children and disabled people.

To put that into context for you, I am the Mother of a stroppy ten year old. Never have my parenting skills been called into question and I have never had any contact with social services etc, however, if I apply for a job as a childminder, I’ll be turned down, because I am a prostitute.

Also, I am registered with the TLC website and see quite a few disabled clients. So, it’s perfectly OK ( and legal ) for me to have intimate sexual contact with them, but if I apply for a job as their carer, I’ll be turned down, because I am a prostitute.

As is evident from the above, there is no unity in the actions of the police at all, different forces appear to be using entirely different tactics. Let’s hope that Ms. Kennedy’s vision of Scotland as a “centre for excellence” includes a marked improvement in the treatment of native sex workers because as it stands at the moment, in some areas it is nothing short of disgraceful.

It is a shame that when I wrote to Ms. Kennedy some time ago suggesting that we meet, my request was completely ignored,in spite of her statement in her report which said that she wanted to meet with victims first hand, and hear their stories. Therein lies the ultimate irony, because as a sex worker in Scotland I am a victim too. I am a victim of prejudice, stigma, social isolation and hatred not to mention being at the mercy of the various police forces.

Had I had the chance to meet Ms. Kennedy, my suggestion to tackle trafficking was a very straightforward and simple one. Who are the people ( aside from the traffickers themselves ) who come into regular contact with the women who so desperately need our help ? The CLIENTS. Ergo, what is needed is a move to open the channels of communication between the police and the clients. Any client should feel able to phone the police, explain that he visited a flat and wasn’t happy with what he saw and KNOW that he can report it in complete confidence, with no long term ramifications for him, such as a record of him as a “punter”.

Secondly, I strongly advocate a dramatic improvement in the relationship between sex workers and the police too. Having read my rant above, you’d be forgiven for thinking I have a dislike of the police. Not at all, in fact when I came up against an abusive client who was engaging in stalking behaviour I found them to be very supportive and they couldn’t have been more helpful. However, whilst tactics similar to those that are happening in Aberdeen continue, then the gap will widen and a deeper mistrust will develop between “us and them”. If a woman phones a flat looking for a job and when she gets there finds foreign nationals in a state of fear, will she report it when she knows she will then be tagged for life as a “known prostitute” ? Thought not.

I’m off to find a suitable surface to kick repeatedly, but I’ll leave you with this wonderful quote from Ms. Kennedy -

“I take the view that the vast majority of women do indeed become prostitutes out of complex combinations of negative experiences, but for me the law should not make the judgement that, when a woman claims autonomy, she is in fact misguided.”

Organised by SERTUC LGBT Network
This event is supported by SERTUC

Candle vigil walk to end violence against sex workers
Time    15 December 18:00 – 21:00
Location    London, Picadilly circus

Vigil walk from 6pm to 7pm
At the occasion of the international day to end violence against sex workers, a candle vigil walk through Soho is organised to remember our colleagues who were murdered or victims of violence. The walk will start from Piccadilly circus and end in Congress House, Tottenham Court Road. There will be free drinks offered with speeches from sex worker activists and trade unions people as well as a presentation about sex workers’ unionisation and a short movie about Sex Worker Open University 2011.
The theme of the event is “unionisation as a means to stop violence”

from 7pm in TUC Congress House
Speakers will include:

• GMB branch I50 (sex workers)
• English collective of Prostitutes
• Ava Caradona, X-Talk
• Member of STRASS, french union of sex workers
• Short movie from Sex Worker Open University 2011
• SERTUC women rights committee
• John McDonnell MP
• and a presentation by Dr Kate Hardy about sex workers’ unionisation in Argentina.