As parliament makes it an offence to buy sex from women forced into prostitution, Gwladys Fouché talks to sex workers, police and support groups in Scandinavia, where similar bans have met with a mixed receptionNadia shivers in the cold night air while waiting for punters on the streets of Oslo. Until recently, the centre of […]
The Madames of Mayfair are celebrating a minor victory this weekend, having forced Westminster Council on to the retreat over the latter’s efforts to stop prostitutes working from flats in and around Shepherd Market. The English Collective of Prostitutes say that forcing their members to cease operating out of such premises will force them into danger on the streets. […]
THE working girls of Mayfair have defeated an attempt by Westminster Council to close their businesses, by using planning laws against the Town Hall.Vice police raided several flats in Shepherd Market, near Green Park, which have for decades been used for prostitution and reported them to the council’s planning department.The council then sent letters to […]
The government is criticised for not criminalising prostitutes’ clients enough (New law on forced prostitution weakened, say women’s groups, 20 May). But what about their increasing criminalisation of women? Not accidentally, the crime bill and the welfare reform bill are going through parliament together. If passed, mothers, especially single mothers, will lose income support and must […]
PUBLIC PRESSURE WINS GOVERNMENT CLIMB DOWN ON CRIMINALISING CLIENTS – BUT WHAT ABOUT SEX WORKERS? WHY ARE WE BEING ARRESTED? The government has been forced to amend Clause 13 of the Bill which made it a criminal offence for a man to have sex with a person “controlled for gain” whether he knew it or not. “Controlled […]
By the English Collective of Prostitutes. Co-ordinators of the SAFETY FIRST COALITION Third Reading Tuesday 19 May. Using flawed trafficking statistics as justification, the measures target anyone involved in prostitution whether or not there is force or coercion. They would drive prostitution further underground and sex workers into even more danger. In the present recession, and combined […]
Policing and Crime BillHouse of Commons Third Reading 19 May 2009 John McDonnell: May I just say, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that this is no way to run a country, is it? We have had two hours of debate on amendments and about 15 more amendments will not even be discussed. We are talking about the prospect of […]
By: Global Women’s Strike & others (see below)Target: UK ParliamentThe Welfare Reform Bill – State-enforced destitutionMothers, especially single mothers, will lose Income Support and be forced to “progress towards work” or take a job. So will carers of people with disabilities, mostly women, and women over 60. Traumatised victims of domestic violence will have a month […]
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 […]