Lay off lap dancersCategorising lap dancing clubs as “sex encounter establishments” must be seen in the context of government plans to further criminalise sex workers and clients. It would stigmatise and segregate women working in these clubs, making it harder for women to insist on their rights and report exploitation.No reference is being made to […]
Recent legislation is further criminalising prostitutes but doing nothing about the reasons why they choose this workThe Policing and Crime Act came into force yesterday. Its anti-prostitution measures were put forward by government feminists who advocate the “Swedish model”.In 1998, Sweden passed legislation making it illegal for men to purchase sexual services. This was part of […]
Unpublished letterDear Sir or Madam,Nick Davies parallels the lies on trafficking to those on weapons of mass destruction — the same disregard for the truth and for people’s lives to impose a reckless political agenda (“Sex, lies and trafficking — the anatomy of a moral panic” Guardian, 20 October 2009).Yes, the “speculative” claims of academics Kelly and […]
Letters in The GuardianIf the Poppy Project is concerned about prostitutes being criminalised, where is it when the law raids, detains and deports women (Letters, 26 May); when mothers working collectively face closure, brothel-keeping charges, imprisonment and separation from their children; or when women driven out of premises risk rape or murder on the street?While […]
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 […]
As the economic crisis hit, feminists in government are redoubling their attack on their more vulnerable sisters: sex workers. Today Harriet Harman is speaking at the Women’s Institute (WI). Under the guise of stopping trafficking in persons, she is calling for sex workers to be banned from advertising in local papers. It’s regrettable that the […]
Stop new laws vs consenting sex! Public meeting. Hosted by John McDonnell MP Tuesday 25 November 2008 6-8pm Committee Room 16, House of Commons, Westminster, London SW1 Fully wheelchair accessible All welcome. Allow 15 minutes to get in Speakers to be announced The government is expected to announce more laws to criminalise sex workers and clients […]
Letters The Guardian, Monday November 17 2008Feminist contempt for prostitutesWhat is most striking about feminist reporters who single out prostitution as worse than any other industry is their contempt for prostitute women. Zoe Williams describes sex workers as either “better at sex than they are at anything else” or “so disadvantaged that they may as well have […]
Passed at NUS Women’s Conference held 11 – 13 March 08Motion No 7Oppose The Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill – support sex Workers RightsSubmitted by: Huddersfield Technical CollegeSpeech for: Huddersfield Technical CollegeConference believes:1. That the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill- Clause 72 which requires compulsory ‘rehabilitation’ for anyone arrested for loitering or soliciting asa prostitute. Failure […]
At the Million Women Rise march against violence on Saturday 8 March, a woman who was going to speak about sex workers’ safety was dropped from the platform at the last minute. Teresa MacKay from Ipswich Trades Council had been invited to address the rally in Trafalgar Square and had submitted in advance her speech […]