Raids arrests and prosecutions Archives - English Collective of Prostitutes

22nd January 2020

Ilford Recorder: ‘A complete disgrace’: National activist group blasts Redbridge Council’s Ilford Lane prostitution crackdown

Redbridge Council’s efforts to reduce prostitution are a “complete disgrace” that will endanger vulnerable women, an activist group has warned.The English Collective of Prostitutes (ECOP) has claimed that a £20,000 trial to change the mindset and behaviour of those soliciting sex will only force sex workers into more dangerous situations.The trial, announced earlier this month, […]

10th January 2020

Huffington Post: Victory For Sex Workers Taken To Court For Keeping Each Other Safe

All charges were eventually dropped against the migrant women, whose case was fought by the English Collective of Prostitutes. Due to current laws around brothel-keeping, some women are too fearful to work together at the same location and as a result often compromise their safety by working alone. Two sex workers who were dragged through the courts for sharing […]

9th January 2020

Morning Star: Migrant women facing conviction for sex work have charges dropped

MIGRANT women who faced conviction for “using their premises as a brothel” have had charges against them under the Sexual Offences Act withdrawn.The women, known as Ms O and Ms R, said they were providing sex work in a flat together for safety to support their families.The English Collective of Prostitutes’ (ECP) Laura Watson said […]

8th January 2020

‘Ridiculous’ Charges Dropped Against Migrant Sex Workers Who Shared Flat

By Aaron WalawalkarMembers of the English Collective Prostitute celebrate outside Staines Magistrates Court after the CPS dropped charges against two Brazilian migrants. Credit: Crossroads AV CollectiveThe Crown Prosecution Service has dropped its charges against two migrant women who faced conviction for letting each other use their shared flat to do sex work.Ms O and Ms R […]

8th January 2020

Press Release: Charges withdrawn against women prosecuted for working together for safety

Today charges were withdrawn against two women (named here as Ms O and Ms R) who were facing conviction for “a tenant permitting premises to be used as a brothel” (S35 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956).Laura Watson, English Collective of Prostitutes, which has supported the women throughout and who attended court today commented:“These charges […]

19th December 2019

Action Alert: Drop the charges – safety first!

08/01 UPDATE: VICTORY! Charges withdrawn against both women! More info to follow shortly…————————-Two women arrested for working together for safety are being charged as tenants with “permitting premises to be used for prostitution”. Two women (Ms O and Ms R) are due to appear at North Surrey Magistrates Court on 8 January 2020 charged with “a tenant […]

1st November 2019

Bulletin 8: November 2018 – October 2019

The English Collective of Prostitutes gathers reports from our nationwide network and the media, and regularly publishes them in the form of a bulletin. These reports show that police crackdowns on prostitution are widespread, that women are subjected to surveillance and raids, are convicted, fined, and even go to prison – all with devastating consequences.SummaryWe […]

29th July 2019

RightsInfo: Sex Worker Spy Hotline Will Embolden Vigilantes, Campaigners Warn

Sex worker campaign groups fear a new hotline for informing police of suspected brothel activity in east London will embolden vigilantes. The Metropolitan Police is encouraging residents to use a special phone line to report sightings of sex workers, suspected brothels or posters advertising erotic massages around Ilford Lane.It follows continued campaigning from community group CleanUp […]

18th June 2019

The Independent: Jailing of migrant sex workers in Ireland decried as ‘completely unjust’

‘Convictions for sex work further limit people’s ability to exit the industry and find alternative means of employment,’ says sex workerMaya Oppenheim Women’s Correspondent @mayaoppenheimThe jailing of two migrant sex workers in Ireland has been condemned by others in the industry as “horrible” and “completely unjust”.Adrina Podaru, 25, and Ana Tomascu, 20, were living in Newbridge, Kildare, when the property […]

12th June 2019

The Guardian: A change in Irish law was meant to help sex workers. So why are they being jailed?

Lobbyists say making payment for sex illegal targets punters. But in fact it makes workers’ bodies into crime scenes@frankiemullinPaying for sex has been illegal in Ireland for two years. At the time of the law’s introduction, proponents insisted that the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017, a version of “end demand” or “Nordic model” legislation, would […]