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.
Sir Nicholas Winterton, Chairman, Bills Committee on the Policing and Crime Bill Dear Sir Nicholas THE DECRIMINALISATION OF PROSTITUTION IN NEW ZEALAND I am writing to you in regard to the current proposals in the Policing and Crime Bill to tighten the laws in relation to prostitution in England and Wales. I am doing so […]
Tuesday 3 February 6pmCommittee Room 6 House of Commons While government feminists and religious fundamentalists equate prostitution with rape and claim most sex workers have been trafficked, rapists continue to get away with it – the conviction rate for reported rape in England and Wales is a shocking 6%. But a growing international movement […]
12 noon 27 January 2009.The Committee consisted of the following Members:Chairmen: Hugh Bayley, Sir Nicholas WintertonAustin, Mr. Ian (Dudley, North)Blackman-Woods, Dr. Roberta (City of Durham) (Lab)Brokenshire, James (Hornchurch) (Con)Burns, Mr. Simon (West Chelmsford) (Con)Campbell, Mr. Alan (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department)Cawsey, Mr. Ian (Brigg and Goole) (Lab)Coaker, Mr. Vernon (Minister for Security, Counter-Terrorism, Crime and Policing)Dorries, Mrs. Nadine (Mid-Bedfordshire) (Con)Fitzpatrick, Jim (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport)Harris, […]
We urge you to oppose Clauses 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, & 25. 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. CLAUSE 13: “Paying for sexual services of a prostitute controlled for gain.” 1. Any sex worker who […]
Policing and Crime BillSecond Reading 19 Jan 2009The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Jacqui Smith): I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.Before I start, may I welcome the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling) to his new position on the Front Bench? He has very thoughtful […]
Members of the Safety First Coalition condemn prostitution measures in the Policing & Crime Bill. Andrea Spyropoulos, Royal College Nursing: “I can see nothing in these proposals that makes women or men safer. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever to criminalise individuals who are consenting adults having sex. TheRoyal College of Nursing is clear that we support decriminalisation on the basis […]
Paying for sex with prostitutes who are controlled by pimps will be made a criminal offence in England and Wales, the government has said.Two women with experience of the sex industry gave the BBC News website their contrasting perspectives on the planned changes to the law.SUE, 48“I support the government on this one. Something needs […]