The Editor,At last, a vindication of the rights of Monica Coghlan, a working class woman who came to court 14 years ago and told the truth about Jeffrey Archer. Ms Coghlan like many other women in the eighties fled the poverty of the North and went into prostitution in London to support her young child.In court […]
Buy the book here. Jenny Kitzinger, director Centre for Media and Communications Research, Brunel University, Uxbridge Vice girl, social pariah, the victim who “asks for it”—these are some of the stereotypes about prostitutes. Rape, beatings, and abuse are often seen as inevitable, almost justified, hazards of “the lifestyle.” The murder of at least six prostitutes in […]
In many countries, including Britain, governments are introducing legislation against trafficking under the guise of protecting women from violence and exploitation. Feminists have initiated or supported such moves, and few have cared to look at what their effect is on the women they are supposed to protect. Recent police and immigration raids are telling. On […]
You report claims that the Albanian Mafia has taken over Soho (“SoHopeless”, June 23rd). This is a government fabrication aimed at justifying a police clampdown on prostitute women there and laying the basis for anti trafficking legislation that would increase police powers at women’s expense. In 1999, we successfully opposed attempts by Westminster Council to […]
By Denyse Renne”I am not a prostitute nor am I against prostitution; I am against persecution.”So says fiery Clothill Walcott, President of National Union of Domestic Workers (NUDE).A veteran in the women’s movement, Walcott is upset over the exploitation of women, including prostitutes.”If you say equal opportunities or equal rights for women, how can you […]
Clothil Walcott calls for legal, civil and economic rightsBy David MilletteClothil Walcott has been waging a 17 year battle for the recognition of the rights for prostitutes.Walcott, president of the National Union of Domestic Employees (NUDE), recently renewed that battle, when she issued a call for the abolition of prostitution laws.And she has hit out […]
Vulnerable women need protection, not deportationEnglish Collective of Prostitutes response toSetting the Boundaries, Reforming the Law on Sex OffencesWe oppose the introduction of a specific trafficking offence. We oppose the introduction of a new offence of trafficking. The recent police and immigration raids on over 50 flats in Soho leave no doubt that trafficking is being […]
The ECP submitted evidence to the 2000 Government consultation: Setting the Boundaries, Reforming the law on sex offences. We opposed a new offence of trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation as, based on the experience of women in our network, anti-trafficking laws are systematically used – not to protect victims – but to arrest […]
We condemn last week’s police and immigration raid on women working in Soho as a violation of human and legal rights (Foreign bodies, Women, G2, February 20). In the name of “protecting” women from trafficking, about 40 women, including a woman from Iraq, were arrested, detained and in some cases summarily removed from Britain. If […]
TRAFFICKING AS AN EXCUSE FOR DEPORTATIONEmergency protest against mass deportations1-2pm Home Office, Queen Anne’s Gate, London, 16 February 2001Yesterday the police raided over 50 flats in Soho and arrested approximately 60 women. Over 35 women, some are mothers, are being held and immigration authorities are threatening to deport them in the next few days. Police said […]
