The ECP campaigned against the Policing and Crime Act 2009, because it increased police powers to arrest women on the street and close premises where women were working in relative safety. But it was the clause that criminalised men for paying for sex with a prostitute forced or coerced that got the attention of the media and some politicians who campaigned for it under the false claim of equality ignoring evidence that criminalising clients undermines sex workers’ safety. The Act was passed at the same time as a Welfare Reform Bill which cut benefits thus making it harder for any woman to refuse or leave prostitution.
By the English Collective of Prostitutes Co-ordinators of the SAFETY FIRST COALITIONHouse of Lords, second reading Wednesday 3 June.Using flawed trafficking statistics as justification, the measures target anyone involved in prostitution whether or not there is force or coercion. They would drive prostitution further underground and sex workers into even more danger. In the present recession, and […]
Policing and Crime BillSecond Reading, House of Lords, 3 June 2009Moved By Lord West of SpitheadBaroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: (Lib Dem) The Bill is the 66th criminal justice Bill since 1997. Between them, they have created 3,600 new criminal offences. We feel that the Government have still failed to understand that you cannot solve social problems by […]
As parliament makes it an offence to buy sex from women forced into prostitution, Gwladys Fouché talks to sex workers, police and support groups in Scandinavia, where similar bans have met with a mixed receptionNadia shivers in the cold night air while waiting for punters on the streets of Oslo. Until recently, the centre of […]
The government is criticised for not criminalising prostitutes’ clients enough (New law on forced prostitution weakened, say women’s groups, 20 May). But what about their increasing criminalisation of women? Not accidentally, the crime bill and the welfare reform bill are going through parliament together. If passed, mothers, especially single mothers, will lose income support and must […]
PUBLIC PRESSURE WINS GOVERNMENT CLIMB DOWN ON CRIMINALISING CLIENTS – BUT WHAT ABOUT SEX WORKERS? WHY ARE WE BEING ARRESTED? The government has been forced to amend Clause 13 of the Bill which made it a criminal offence for a man to have sex with a person “controlled for gain” whether he knew it or not. “Controlled for […]
By the English Collective of ProstitutesCo-ordinators of the SAFETY FIRST COALITION Third Reading Tuesday 19 May.Using flawed trafficking statistics as justification, the measures target anyone involved in prostitution whether or not there is force or coercion. They would drive prostitution further underground and sex workers into even more danger. In the present recession, and combined with the Welfare […]
Policing and Crime BillHouse of Commons Third Reading 19 May 2009 John McDonnell: May I just say, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that this is no way to run a country, is it? We have had two hours of debate on amendments and about 15 more amendments will not even be discussed. We are talking about the prospect of […]
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 […]
Dear Friends,We are delighted to report that charges against Ms W for “assisting in the management of a brothel” were dropped at the last minute in court on Wednesday 6 May 2009. Ms W is relieved and deeply grateful to all those who wrote in support.The prosecution offered no case on the grounds that there […]
Stop the criminalisation of sex workersOppose the Policing and Crime BillDear Friends,Clauses in the Policing and Crime Bill are due to be debated at the end of October. We’ll keep you informed as we find out details.Many of you have written before, expressing your opposition. Politicians claim to be targeting ‘demand’ i.e. clients. They hide that […]