image of women's symbol with london boroughs outline and link to home page

women in london

a directory of london based women's groups

and news of their work and activities

WiL menu

WiL Groups:

WiL site:

External:

other info:

calendars:

… funding

links to WiL:

Helplines:

Return to:

Forthcoming Event

ECP : Public meeting - who benefits from criminalising sex workers & clients?

Tuesday 25 November 2008 6-8pm, Committee Room 16, House of Commons
The meeting is hosted by John McDonnell MP.

Speakers so far:
* Niki Adams, English Collective of Prostitutes
* Victoria Andrews, lap-dance club manager & ex lap-dancer
* Sian Berry, Green Party candidate for Mayor of London
* Toni Cole, ex-sex worker, first successful private prosecution for rape in England & Wales
* Sue Conlan, Solicitor
* Niamh Eastwood, Head of Legal Services, RELEASE
* Richard Faulkner, House of Lords
* Jean Johnson, Hampshire Women's Institute
* Catherine Stephens, International Union of Sex Workers
* Dr Helen Ward, Dept of Epidemiology & Public Health, Imperial College, London

Public opinion is increasingly hostile to repressive policies that force prostitution underground, and make it less safe for sex workers.

Workers don't benefit from criminalisation. The ECP has been inundated by women who have been raided, arrested and charged, and face imprisonment for running safe, discrete premises where no coercion is taking place.

Anti-trafficking legislation is being used to justify these raids. Who will support families hit by recession when mothers and daughters who sell sex are imprisoned? How can women who want to get out of prostitution find another job if they have a criminal record?

Pimps, violent men and "rehabilitation" projects benefit. Pimps are attracted by any illegal economy. Violent men know that illegal workers can't report violence or exploitation. And more anti-prostitution projects will be funded to "save" the rest of us.

Why are resources wasted on policing consenting sex when most rapists are getting away with it? Why are anti-trafficking laws used to deport women?

Sex workers want rights, not charity. We want safety, not prison.

Listen to the workers, not the preachers.


… Return to the top of this page
… Retun to Index of Forthcoming Events
… Return to home page