We are delighted to report that charges against Ms W for “assisting in the management of a brothel” were dropped at the last minute in court on Wednesday 6 May 2009. Ms W is relieved and deeply grateful to all those who wrote in support. The prosecution offered no case on the grounds that there […]
9.30am Highbury Magistrates, Court, Wednesday 6 May 2009 On Wednesday 6 May, Ms W goes to court charged under section 33 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 with the offence “to assist in the management of a brothel” at two premises. Ms W had no responsibility for the flats. She is not a tenant, did not hold […]
Stop the criminalisation of sex workers. Oppose the Policing and Crime Bill Dear Friends, Clauses in the Policing and Crime Bill are due to be debated at the end of October. We’ll keep you informed as we find out details. Many of you have written before, expressing your opposition. Politicians claim to be targeting ‘demand’ i.e. […]
Clauses 14, 16, 17 & 21 of Policing and Crime BillForget the propaganda and hear the evidence on rape, trafficking and prostitution6-7pm Monday 2 NovemberCommittee Room 3AHouse of LordsEnter through St Stephen’s entranceThe day before the final debate on the prostitution clauses in the PCB, please join us in a discussion of the evidence. Whatever your […]
Sandra Laville,It is 27 years since the documentary A Complaint of Rape caused an outcry and forced a sea change in the way police forces treat allegations of rape and sexual assault.The groundbreaking film showed a woman, who alleged she had been raped by three strangers, being bullied and cajoled by male police officers who dismissed […]
DECRIMINALISATION OF PROSTITUTION11 March to 13 March 2009.Conference calls on the Government to decriminalise prostitution. While the activities of women who work as prostitutes are subject to criminal prosecution then they are less able to access support and help from agencies when they need this. The criminalisation of those who work in the sex industry […]
By Meena SeshuAfter months of speculation and stress, sex workers rights advocates have reason to celebrate this International Sex Workers Rights Day.Last week, the Cabinet failed to approve an amendment to India’s Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Bill that would have further stigmatized sex workers by criminalizing the purchase of sexual services.This is a major victory for sex […]
A judge has ruled that a Soho brothel shut down by police earlier this month can reopen for business.Metropolitan police officers used antisocial behaviour legislation that came into effect at the end of last year to issue a closure notice on two flats in Dean Street, Soho, where sex is sold. But yesterday Mr Justice […]
Keith Dovkants The working girls of Soho were in jubilant mood today after scoring a famous victory over the forces of law and order. Indeed, today may count as a significant date in the 350-year-long history of Soho as a haven for the world’s oldest profession. After all, how often has a judge ordered the police […]
An application by the Metropolitan Police and Westminster Council for a Closure Order against two flats at 61 Dean Street, Soho, was dismissed today, 18 February 2009. (Excellent report in the Evening Standard below.)With the help of Soho sex workers and other local people, the English Collective of Prostitutes and Legal Action for Women gathered evidence […]
