Violence
Sex workers face a lot of violence. Sex workers in London are 12 times more likely to be murdered than other women. It is much safer to work indoors with others but this is illegal.
Criminalisation increases violence. Attacks on sex workers doubled in Scotland after kerb crawling laws were introduced which criminalised clients. A 2014 survey found that where arrests of sex workers and clients were high, only 5% of sex workers who were victims of a crime reported it. This compared to 46% of victims in areas where police adopted a harm reduction approach.
BBC News: Soho sex workers speak out against ‘clean up’
By Jon Silverman In November 2002 the Home Secretary, David Blunkett, told a London conference Britain was facing a growing threat from Balkan crime gangs, who make vast profits by smuggling – whether guns, drugs, or women destined for the sex trade. The following month two Albanian cousins were given long jail sentences for living […]
Camden Chronicle: Self-preservation society on ECP history
Caroline RyderYou’d have thought people would have finally got used to prostitution by now, what with it being the oldest profession in the world.But it wasn’t until 1982, when a group of angry “sex workers” occupied the Church of the Holy Cross in Kings Cross, that politicians and the media sat up and listed to […]
Some Mother’s Daughter: the Hidden Movement of Prostitute Women Against Violence
Buy the book here. Jenny Kitzinger, director Centre for Media and Communications Research, Brunel University, Uxbridge Vice girl, social pariah, the victim who “asks for it”—these are some of the stereotypes about prostitutes. Rape, beatings, and abuse are often seen as inevitable, almost justified, hazards of “the lifestyle.” The murder of at least six prostitutes in […]
Statement: Response to ‘Setting the Boundaries – Reforming the Law on Sex Offences’
Vulnerable women need protection, not deportationEnglish Collective of Prostitutes response toSetting the Boundaries, Reforming the Law on Sex OffencesWe oppose the introduction of a specific trafficking offence. We oppose the introduction of a new offence of trafficking. The recent police and immigration raids on over 50 flats in Soho leave no doubt that trafficking is being […]
San Francisco Chronicle: Prostitutes – and, all women – deserve protection from violence
JACK BOKIN IS BEHIND bars, sentenced to 231 years to life in prison for his murderous attacks on prostitute women. We still need to know why so many women had to be hurt before this known predator was brought to justice. We are pressing for an inquiry into the actions of the police and district […]
SF Examiner: Prostitutes, allies advocate safety for sex workers
By Peter HartlaubPolice, prosecutors say uphill battle to prevent victimizationActivists defending prostitutes took their concerns about violence to City Hall, hoping for changes that will make sex workers safer on the streets.Addressing members of the Finance and Labor Committee on Wednesday, more than a dozen supporters suggested less money should be spent fighting prostitution with more money […]
Event: Launch of Some Mother’s Daughter – The hidden movement of prostitute women against violence
You are invited to the launch of a new book by the International Prostitutes CollectiveSome Mother’s Daughter – The hidden movement of prostitute women against violence “I wish Some Mother’s Daughter had been around when I was researching for Band of Gold, it would’ve made life a lot easier and a hell of a lot safer […]
Press Release: Rape victim refused compensation wins her appeal
On 12 March 1996 a woman from Bristol who was violently attacked, raped and robbed won £4,000 compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB.) The CICB had initially refused her compensation because she had convictions related to prostitution. Ms X was raped in July 1994. Despite knowing that the police and courts were likely […]
Successful private prosecution of serial rapist – R v Davies
In 1995, two women brought the first successful private prosecution for rape in England and Wales with the support of the English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP) and Women Against Rape (WAR). Both women had independently reported being attacked in what turned out to be remarkably similar circumstances. Yet the Crown Prosecution Service decided there was […]