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.
Gergana KrastevaPolice may exploit increased powers against sex workers in east London, a campaign group has claimed.The English Collective of Prostitutes has dubbed Newham Councilâs proposal for a Public Space Protection Order for Romford Road as a âcrackdownâ on sex workers, adding it would only âundermineâ their safety.Such orders are commonly used to stop anti-social behaviour […]
By Frankie McCamley & Bethan Bell Violence has always stalked the streets where sex is bought and sold and sometimes just taken.Women employed in the “world’s oldest profession” face a very real danger. Jack the Ripper may have been consigned to history and folklore, but many other predatory men have stepped into his shadows.And the women […]
 Recording of our HAH campaign event to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25th November 2022 at Crossroads Women’s Centre, London. Speakers: Iris, English Collective of Prostitutes Elizabeth, National Ugly Mugs Mary Atkinson, Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants Hodo, Women Against Rape Vee, SWARM (Sex Workers […]
In November 2020, the English Collective of Prostitutes organised a ground-breaking event, Sex Workers: Access to Justice, which brought together sex workers, violence against women organisers, academics, and human rights groups to examine the extent of violence faced by sex workers, what exacerbates the risks of violence, and the obstacles experienced by sex workers when […]
By Karolina Piras, Freelance Journalist Credit: Mina Karenina (USW) Karolina Piras was awarded âBest Human Rights Storyâ by EachOtherâs judges at the annual Student Publication Awards this month for this article which was first published by Sane Magazine. The views expressed in the article belong to the author and do not necessarily represent the views of […]
Exclusive: âThey will become street-based sex workers which means you have sex with men on the street, down alleys, or sometimes in cars,â says campaigner Maya Oppenheim Womenâs Correspondent Violence against sex workers will rise under proposed measures outlined in the governmentâs new online safety bill, campaigners have warned. The legislation will stop sex workers from advertising their services […]
Exclusive:Â Sex worker says being âdragged throughâ criminal justice system has âdestroyedâ her life and made her homeless Maya Oppenheim Womenâs Correspondent âFive or six police officers came to my flat last April,â Iris says. âI was really shocked so I didnât open the door because I didnât know what was going on. They broke my […]
Interview byCOMITĂ AUTONOME DU TRAVAIL DU SEXE // SEX WORK AUTONOMOUS COMMITTEECari Mitchell is a former sex worker and a member of the English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP), a network of sex workers in the United Kingdom working both outdoors and indoors campaigning for decriminalisation and safety. 1 In 2000, the ECP organized a sex workersâ strike […]
Brighton & Hove City Council is doing a survey to inform the cityâs forthcoming Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy. The previous policy was very problematic. It labelled prostitution as a form of violence and exploitation, promoted the closure of premises where sex workers are working together, as well as the criminalisation of clients. See background […]
The English Collective of Prostitutes has highlighted 10 of the common responses members receive from police when reporting harassment and violence. The group says decriminalisation of sex work could mitigate the stigma. ANEZKA TUREK âWho do you go to if police are part of the problem?â asks Laura Watson, spokesperson for the English Collective of Prostitutes, an organisation […]