Press releases

20th May 2018

Press Release: Another sham Inquiry from the self-appointed partisan All-Party Parliamentary Group on Prostitution

Breaking news: a self-appointed group of MPs, that got together for the sole purpose of lobbying for the criminalisation of sex workers’ clients, conduct Inquiry and recommend the criminalisation of clients! No surprise there then.Cari Mitchell, spokeswoman for the English Collective of Prostitutes, commented:“Criminalisation, whether of sex workers or clients, drives prostitution further underground, increasing […]

17th April 2018

Press Release: We are still criminalised, say sex workers.

The woman interviewed recently on BBC Victoria Derbyshire show spoke forcefully about her experience and how she was working for “financial security and independence”.On the same programme a brothel owner (and former police officer) claimed that “the police are turning a blind eye if women are working together for safety”. This is completely untrue.Laura Watson, […]

5th December 2017

Press Release: Sex workers outside Parliament to demand safety on International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

On 17th December, International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers (#IDEVASW), thousands of sex workers and sex worker-led organisations around the world will gather to commemorate the sex workers who have lost their lives in the last year. Last year, the list included more than 150 sex workers murdered between 1st January and 1st […]

10th July 2017

Press Release: Hundreds of sex workers criminalised

Monday 10 July 2017 A survey by the English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP) shows that raids, arrests and prosecutions of sex workers is continuing despite a Home Affairs Committee report (July 2016) which recommended a change in the law “so that soliciting is no longer an offence and so that brothel-keeping provisions allow sex workers […]

21st October 2016

Press Release: Protests grow over raids and landgrabs in Chinatown & Soho

PROTESTS GROW OVER RAIDS & LANDGRABS IN CHINATOWN & SOHO What: Protest organised by the English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP) with Sex Workers Open University and Sex Workers’ Opera When: Monday 24 October, 12-1pm Where: Home Office, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF For more information: ECP, (020) 7482 2496, 07811 964171 ecp@prostitutescollective.net www.prostitutescollective.net Six […]

1st July 2016

Press Release: Decriminalisation of sex workers recommended by Home Affairs Committee

1 July 2016 The English Collective of Prostitutes welcomes the report from the Home Affairs Select Committee (HASC) which recommends a change in the law “so that soliciting [a charge used against street-based sex workers] is no longer an offence and so that brothel-keeping provisions allow sex workers to share premises”. Crucially the Committee also […]

20th May 2016

Press Release: Amnesty International fighting for sex workers rights

The English Collective of Prostitutes welcomes Amnesty International’s new policy on sex work which calls on states to repeal laws that criminalise “the consensual exchange of sexual services between adults for remuneration” and provide resources so that those of us who want to leave prostitution can do so. Amnesty International’s press release is here. Spokeswoman, […]

2nd November 2015

Press Release: Sex workers from ten countries give evidence in Parliament on decriminalisation

For the first time sex workers from Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand as well as the UK will give direct evidence at a Symposium on decriminalisation of sex work in Parliament on 3 November. They will be joined by prominent academics and representatives from a number of organisations who will […]

22nd October 2015

Press Release: Bill banning advertising will undermine sex workers’ safety

Banning ads will put sex workers at risk. An organisation of sex workers is opposing a private members bill which aims to ban the advertising of sexual services, on the grounds that it would push sex workers out of premises and into greater danger and and/or into the hands of exploitative employers. The Advertising […]

22nd July 2015

Press Release: Twitter storm pledge to decriminalise sex work

What: Sex workers launch pledge to decriminalise sex work for safety’s sake.When: Thursday 23 July 12-2pm and 5-6pm.Where: Twitter #pledgedecrim Follow @ProstitutesColl Sign here. Issued by the Safety First Coalition, co-ordinated by the English Collective of Prostitutes. Sex workers and supporters are launching a campaign to get people to pledge their support for the decriminalisation of prostitution. Laura Watson […]