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 […]
JACK BOKIN IS BEHIND bars, sentenced to 231 years to life in prison for his murderous attacks on prostitute women. We still need to know why so many women had to be hurt before this known predator was brought to justice. We are pressing for an inquiry into the actions of the police and district […]
By Peter HartlaubPolice, prosecutors say uphill battle to prevent victimizationActivists defending prostitutes took their concerns about violence to City Hall, hoping for changes that will make sex workers safer on the streets.Addressing members of the Finance and Labor Committee on Wednesday, more than a dozen supporters suggested less money should be spent fighting prostitution with more money […]
Vulnerable women need protection, not deportationUnder the guise of concern for women who are being trafficked into Britain, Home Office ministers, police and academics are discussing measures to tighten immigration controls and increase police powers. This would make women more vulnerable.Immigrant women who are victims of violence and exploitation have said over and over again […]