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
Contact: Cari Mitchell 020 7482 2496 / 07811 964 171 Policies which contributed to the tragic murders of five young women in Ipswich are being reintroduced The Safety First coalition is appalled at proposals of zero tolerance against clients and removal of street prostitution announced yesterday by Ipswich Local Authorities, police, health […]
Julie Bindel’s obsession with male sexuality hides that it is women’s poverty and lack of viable economic alternatives that keep prostitution alive (Not a service like any other, January 16). Most sex workers are mothers and young people struggling to survive. Even government research found that “74% of women working indoors cited the need to […]
Suzanne Gilbert 29 May 2006Conference ProducerCapita ConferencesTel: 02078 085 316Fax: 08701 658 989 Dear Suzanne Gilbert,We have had to withdraw from participating in your conference: “Tackling Prostitution: What works? Reducing the impact on communities and lives”.As an independent sex workers organisation which protects and defends the rights of sex workers, we cannot give credibility to an event which […]
Dear Sir or Madam,Ninety-five per cent of sex workers are not drug users — not even the Home Office claims that (Guardian 18 Jan 2006) women who don’t use drugs don’t use the Home office funded projects on which these figures depend. These figures dominate while the major factors that force women into prostitution – poverty, domestic violence, homelessness […]
The law could be changed to allow two prostitutes and a receptionist or maid to work together legally in brothels, the government has confirmed.Currently only lone prostitutes can offer sex from flats or other premises without breaking the law.Launching the new prostitution strategy for England and Wales, minister Fiona Mactaggart said that working in groups […]
Despite acknowledgement that at least 60 prostitute women have been murdered in the last 10 years, the government is today announcing that it is abandoning its consultation and proposed review of the prostitution laws in favour of increased enforcement. This goes against all the evidence which shows that criminalization and crackdowns make sex workers more […]
Street Sheet, (San Francisco) June 2005, p7 You need look no further than the case of serial rapist Jack Bokin to know why the SF Board of Supervisors (BOS) resolution 1564, Mitigating Violence Against Prostitutes should be immediately implemented. Bokin had attacked and violently raped at least three women when Judge Perker Meeks let him […]
Camden also looks at making men face up to their sexual urges[Extracts] KERB crawlers who plague Kings Cross could be barred from the notorious red light district or be forced to take courses to confront their sexual urges.Sarah Walker, of the English Collective of Prostitutes, based in Kentish Town Road, Kentish Town, said she would […]