SAFETY FIRST: To Decriminalise Sex Work And Prioritise Safety
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Author:
n/a -
Send To:
UK Government
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Sponsored By:
The Safety First Coalition which is co-ordinated by the English Collective of Prostitutes & includes anti-poverty campaigners, church people & residents from Ipswich & elsewhere, the Royal College of Nursing, the National Association of Probation Officers -
More Info at:
* The tragic murders of five young women in Ipswich caused an unprecedented outcry. Each of us deserves to be safe regardless of gender, occupation, sexual preference, race, age, nationality, immigration status or lifestyle.
* Prostitution is a survival strategy to deal with poverty, debt, rape, low wages, homelessness, unemployment... Most sex workers are mothers or young people; often they are both. Many have been in care or have had their children taken from them.
* Criminalising consenting sex targeting sex workers, clients or both pushes prostitution underground. It deters women from reporting violence & exploitation. Fines & ASBOs force women into isolated, less well lit areas.
* When prostitute women are not safe, no woman is safe. Serial rapists & killers often have a history of attacks on partners & prostitutes. (The conviction rate for reported rape is a shocking 5.7\%. Over 200 women are murdered each year.)
* Raids on premises increase street prostitution which is 10 times more dangerous.
* Criminal records prevent sex workers from getting other jobs.
* "Rehabilitation" for drugs or anything else doesnt work if it is compulsory.
* New Zealand has successfully decriminalised prostitution, improving health & safety.
WE DEMAND:
1. The decriminalisation of prostitution. Sex workers must have the same rights and protection as other workers.
2. An end to Community Rehabilitation Orders, Acceptable Behaviour Contracts and Anti Social Behaviour Orders which reintroduce prison for street offences through the back door.
3. The enforcement of laws against domestic violence, rape and other violence against women and children must be a priority.
4. An end to the use of anti-trafficking legislation to deport immigrant sex workers. Trafficked women must have the right to stay so they can report violence.
5. Viable economic alternatives to prostitution. Voluntary drug services, affordable housing, benefits, training, pay equity.
* Prostitution is a survival strategy to deal with poverty, debt, rape, low wages, homelessness, unemployment... Most sex workers are mothers or young people; often they are both. Many have been in care or have had their children taken from them.
* Criminalising consenting sex targeting sex workers, clients or both pushes prostitution underground. It deters women from reporting violence & exploitation. Fines & ASBOs force women into isolated, less well lit areas.
* When prostitute women are not safe, no woman is safe. Serial rapists & killers often have a history of attacks on partners & prostitutes. (The conviction rate for reported rape is a shocking 5.7\%. Over 200 women are murdered each year.)
* Raids on premises increase street prostitution which is 10 times more dangerous.
* Criminal records prevent sex workers from getting other jobs.
* "Rehabilitation" for drugs or anything else doesnt work if it is compulsory.
* New Zealand has successfully decriminalised prostitution, improving health & safety.
WE DEMAND:
1. The decriminalisation of prostitution. Sex workers must have the same rights and protection as other workers.
2. An end to Community Rehabilitation Orders, Acceptable Behaviour Contracts and Anti Social Behaviour Orders which reintroduce prison for street offences through the back door.
3. The enforcement of laws against domestic violence, rape and other violence against women and children must be a priority.
4. An end to the use of anti-trafficking legislation to deport immigrant sex workers. Trafficked women must have the right to stay so they can report violence.
5. Viable economic alternatives to prostitution. Voluntary drug services, affordable housing, benefits, training, pay equity.
1978 Signatures
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Kay G
- Organisation
- GoodGrrls/ x:talk
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Kate E
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Suzanne J
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Gemma J
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Alisha
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Clare L
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Fiona H
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Schaffauser T
- Comments
- sex worker
- Organisation
- Les Putes (France) www.lesputes.org
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Thierry S
- Comments
- sex worker and proud
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Peter Hulme C
- Comments
- The Government would do well to look at the example of New Zealand where prostitution has been decriminalised. Further criminalisation of prostitutes and /or their clients in this country will drive the sex trade underground making it less safe for women and making an increase of violence on women more likely. And prison is not the right place for prostitutes who are often vulnerable women just trying to survive. We stopped putting prostitites in prison in 1983.
- Organisation
- London Assembly
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Laura S
- Organisation
- Education Not for Sale Women
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Suzanne H
- Comments
- Many of the dangers faced by sexworkers under today's laws and tomorrow's proposed laws are a result of abrogation of responsibility by our legislature and judiciary, in a manner reflective of the USA at the time of prohibition.
- Organisation
- Association of Welsh Escorts
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Gwyneth L
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Katie H
- Comments
- Prostitution is not something that we can turn a blind eye to and hope will just disappear. Instead of criminalising it, sex workers need legal support, medical safety, and protection. How many more instances of violence and discrimination towards prostitutes must there be? This has gone on long enough.
- Organisation
- ENS Women
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Isha I
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Craig B
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terry s
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Terry S
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Inder s
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Kathy H
- Comments
- As a former prostitue myself, I am all too aware of the dangerous situations that can befall women in the sex industry. I am shocked that it has taken so long and so much for such an important issue to get the consideration it deserves. The sex industry isn't our dirty little secret: it's health and safety, it's feminism, it's politics, and it needs rights, representation and support. Stop the crime, decriminalise prostitution now. In solidarity, Kathy Hunt.
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Gemma B
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Martyn S
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Robert H
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Douglas f
- Comments
- Criminalisation creates criminals and denies protection to the vulnerable. Sex work is a legitatmite form of labour and deserves the sex workers deserve the same rights and the same legal protection as any other workers. They also have a right to choose how they work and to join to gether to form unions and businesses to improve their working enviroment with out hasle form the police or authorities.
- Organisation
- IUSW
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Alix D
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Bryony D
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zak jane k
- Comments
- prosecuting the punters won' t help the sex workers either.
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Hazel R
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E C
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heather m
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Sophie M
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Chris S
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Michelle F
- Comments
- This has got to stop. When will Government realise you CANT force the many street sex workers who are using drugs into often in-appropriate treatment services and expect their drug use to cease. Instead provide sufficient resources to provide suitable services that can support the whole women. Today news of another service losing funding. How can anyone think 3 days in prison will help. STOP this now please. This will not stop street prostitution just run it further underground where the women are more vulnerable and liable to become victims of ever increased violence.
- Organisation
- SHOC
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Nik T
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Tamara O
- Comments
- В
- Organisation
- В
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Dave K
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Lee Margaret W
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toby s
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Lucy M
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Joe M
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Rebecca N
- Comments
- We are long out of date in the UK, this must be done ASAP
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Richard S
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Jane O
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Charlie
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C R
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Bronwen M
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Lucy K
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Charlotte G
- Organisation
- Abortion Rights
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Chas G
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Rene R
- Organisation
- Stepping Stone
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1978
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