The UK’s biggest ever investigation of sex trafficking failed to find a single person who had forced anybody into prostitution in spite of hundreds of raids on sex workers in a six-month campaign by government departments, specialist agencies and every police force in the country.The failure has been disclosed by a Guardian investigation which also suggests […]
Dear Friends,We know there are fewer people around over the holiday season but another woman in our network is facing brothel keeping charges. Please can you write immediately to Sarah Brown at Luton Crown Prosecution Service, using the letter below to express your concerns.sarah.brown2@cps.gsi.gov.uk Ms F is a mother and was working with four friends […]
By the English Collective of Prostitutes. Co-ordinators of the SAFETY FIRST COALITION House 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 […]
(Minister of State, Alan Campbell, Hansard 19 January 2009) In April 2009, a woman (Ms W) was charged under section 33 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 (SOA 1956) with “assisting in the management of a brothel” at two premises. Ms W had no responsibility for either flat. She was not a tenant, did not […]
The Madames of Mayfair are celebrating a minor victory this weekend, having forced Westminster Council on to the retreat over the latter’s efforts to stop prostitutes working from flats in and around Shepherd Market. The English Collective of Prostitutes say that forcing their members to cease operating out of such premises will force them into danger on the streets. […]
THE working girls of Mayfair have defeated an attempt by Westminster Council to close their businesses, by using planning laws against the Town Hall.Vice police raided several flats in Shepherd Market, near Green Park, which have for decades been used for prostitution and reported them to the council’s planning department.The council then sent letters to […]
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 […]
By the English Collective of Prostitutes. Co-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 […]
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 […]