Safety First Coalition

The Safety-First Coalition which campaigns to decriminalise sex work and prioritise women’s safety is coordinated by the English Collective of Prostitutes and was launched in 2006 following the murders of five young women in Ipswich. The coalition includes anti-poverty campaigners, church people & residents from Ipswich and elsewhere, the Royal College of Nursing, the National Association of Probation Officers, members of the medical and legal professions, prison reformers, sex worker and drugs rehabilitation projects.

For more information see our first statement and petition

25th June 2008

Press Release: New Zealand marks five years of successful decriminalisation of prostitution

PRESS RELEASE From SAFETY FIRST – A coalition to decriminalise sex work and prioritise safety.Tel: 07811 964 171www.prostitutescollective.netWednesday 25 June 2008: New Zealand marks five years of successful decriminalisation of prostitution.On the fifth anniversary of the introduction of the New Zealand Prostitution Reform Act (PRA), the NZ government has published a detailed evaluation report which confirms the […]

16th May 2008

The Guardian: Letters – Pauline Campbell our beloved colleague

Sent to the Guardian letters, 16 May 08Dear Madam/SirFrances Crook’s comment that Pauline Campbell, who died tragically on 15 May, had been the “single most effective and inspiring campaigner” against women’s imprisonment, is closest to the truth (“Prison campaigner, 60, found dead by daughter’s graveside”, Guardian, 16 May).Like the mothers of the disappeared in Latin America […]

17th March 2008

Statement: Million Women Rise speaker on sex workers’ safety censored

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 about […]

27th February 2008

Labour MP welcomes Government’s u-turn on punitive prostitution plans

John McDonnell MPMember of Parliament for Hayes & HarlingtonWestminster Office, G10 Norman Shaw SouthHouse of CommonsLONDON SW1A 2JF Tel – 020 7219 1626 PRESS NOTICE… PRESS NOTICE…FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Labour MP welcomes Government’s u-turn on punitive prostitution plans The announcement that the government is dropping plans to introduce compulsory rehabilitation for prostitutes and the threat […]

17th October 2007

Press Release: Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill

“Safety First”Against further criminalisation of sex workers in the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill 2007 Wednesday 17 October 2-4 pmHouse of Commons, Committee Room 9Hosted by John McDonnell MP, long-term supporter of the ECP’s work and recent contender for the leadership of the Labour PartyThe Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill 2007 (CJIB) is part of the government’s repressive […]

17th July 2007

The Guardian: Natalie Bennett – Safety First

If we are to protect sex workers, basic human rights must be allowed to triumph over the state’s moral squeamishness. You don’t have to take a Hobbesian view of the world to conclude that one of the first duties of a state to its citizens is to keep them safe. Not just some, but […]

26th April 2007

Independent: Letters – ASBOS will push sex workers into danger

Joan Smith acknowledges that “women are driven into prostitution by poverty”, but doesn’t address benefit cuts, low wages, debt, lack of affordable housing, and addiction to expensive drugs. Instead, she targets clients (“Prostitutes are victims not criminals”, 13 April).She claims that police can’t deal with sex workers being beaten or raped because they are “constrained […]

22nd March 2007

Morning Star: Coalition decries plans for a “zero-tolerance” policy on street prostitution

WOMEN’S safety campaigners warned on Thursday that Ipswich local authorities’ plans for a “zero-tolerance” policy on street prostitution will compromise prostitutes’ safety. The Safety First coalition, which is co-ordinated by the English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP), warned that the proposals replicated almost exactly those in place before the horrific murder of five street prostitutes in […]

20th March 2007

Press Release: Safety First Coalition appalled at Ipswich policy proposals

Contact: Cari Mitchell020 7482 2496 07811 964 171 Policies which contributed to the tragic murders of five young women in Ipswich are being reintroducedThe Safety First coalition is appalled at proposals of zero tolerance against clients and removal of street prostitution announced yesterday by Ipswich Local Authorities, police, health and probation services. The proposals […]

10th March 2007

Event: Rape, Race & Prostitution

CONFERENCE: RAPE, RACE & PROSTITUTION Campaigning for justice in the 21st century Saturday 10 March 9.30-5pm Trinity Reformed Church, Buck Street, London NW1 (Kentish Town Road end, behind Sainsbury’s, Camden Town tube)Entrance: £20 funded organisations and professionals; £10 waged; £5 low waged; £3 unwaged; asylum seekers freeNo one turned away for lack of funds. Wheelchair accessible (toilets nearby) All Welcome […]