Criminalisation, of sex workers or clients, undermines safety.
The law criminalising clients, first implemented in Sweden in 1999 and known as the “Nordic Model” is touted as feminist because it criminalises men (i.e. the clients) rather than women (i.e. the victims). But its effect on women has been disastrous. Sex workers face increased stigma, are more at risk of violence, and are less able to call on the protection of the police and the authoritie as this can lead to police harassment, the loss of custody over children, or deportation.
For more information please see our briefing No Nordic Model
Las prostitutas necesitan mejores aliados que los hombres franceses centrados en sus propias libertades sexuales – pero, demasiado a menudo, las feministas sólo hacen sus vidas más difíciles Selma James Los 343 hombres intelectuales franceses que firmaron una declaración —“No toques a mi puta”(1)— defendiendo su derecho a comprar servicios sexuales han enfurecido a las mujeres […]
Prosititutes need better allies than French men focused on their own sexual freedoms – but too often, feminists only make their lives harder Selma James The 343 French intellectual men who signed a statement – “Hands off my whore” – defending their right to buy sexual services has infuriated women and caused wide controversy. Not only does […]
Fondatrice de la campagne internationale pour un salaire au travail ménager et figure historique du féminisme autonomiste des années 1970, Selma James est fermement engagée dans la lutte contre la criminalisation de la prostitution. Dans cette tribune initialement parue dans le Guardian, Selma James revient sur le « Manifeste des 343 salauds » pour en proposer une critique […]
Jasmine and Dora 4-Ever from Carol Leigh on Vimeo. In 2012 during the International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC, I met and interviewed Petite Jasmine with Pye Jakobsson from Rose Alliance of Sweden. Petite Jasmine was murdered one year later, a victim of the stigmatisation and legal discrimination that sex workers face. She was […]
Justice for Dora! Justice for Jasmine! Justice for all sex workers who are victims of violence! WHAT: International Day of Protest against the violent abuse and murder of sex workers. WHEN: Friday 19 July 2013 3:00-4:00pm WHERE: Swedish Embassy, 11 Montagu Place, London W1H 2AL, London. CONTACT: London protest, contact: Cari Mitchell, English Collective of Prostitutes, 07811 964171/020 7482 2496, ecp@prostitutescollective.net, Sex Worker Open University, swou@gmail.com. International protests […]
Cari Mitchell, a spokeswoman for the ECP, commented on the police initiative which claims to target kerb-crawlers:“Security systems among women on the street will be further disrupted and women displaced into unfamiliar areas. Women will be forced to work harder and take more risks to make the same money. 70% of sex workers are mothers, […]
In December 2012 the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) held a conference in the European Parliament to demand a ban on the “purchase of sex”. The ECP response condemned the EWL for its reckless disregard of women’s lives for prioritising increased criminalisation at a time of increased poverty which was pushing more women, particularly mothers, into […]
From: Amy Vergnés, Administrator of SAAFE.info (Support And Advice For Escorts) and an independent sex worker with ten years experience working as a prostitute in the UK and abroad. I am also on the advisory group which developed the National Ugly Mugs pilot scheme launched in July 2012, and a National Ugly Mugs Champion. Please […]
Respuesta inicial del Colectivo Inglés de Prostitutas (CIP) a las recomendaciones del Lobby Europeo de Mujeres (LEM) del 4 de diciembre de 2012.1. En un momento de crisis económica en que la pobreza entre las mujeres y los niños está en aumento en toda Europa (ver la propia investigación del LEM[1]) y más mujeres, madres […]
Initial response by the English Collective of Prostitutes to European Women’s Lobby recommendations. 4 December 2012 1. At a time of economic crisis when poverty among women and children is rising throughout Europe (see EWL own research [1) and more women, particularly mothers, are working in the sex industry to survive, the European Women’s Lobby […]