Sex workers' rights - #SexWorkIsWork

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

These MPs should be ashamed of themselves. I see that Caroline Flint has been out blocking activists on Twitter as well.

 

[Sweet Square]

Agree the reaction has been incredibly stupid and patronising.

Was going to post this a few days ago but couldn't find the thread.

http://www.theguardian.com/politics...orbyn-decriminalise-sex-industry-prostitution

Spoiler

Jeremy Corbyn has said he is in favour of decriminalising prostitution. The Labour leader made his position clear during a session with students at Goldsmiths University as he went on the campaign trail for May’s election.

Corbyn is thought to have had a longstanding view in favour of decriminalising sex work but this appears to be the first time he has confirmed his position in public since becoming Labour leader.

Asked for his opinion on whether sex work should be decriminalised, he said: “I am in favour of decriminalising the sex industry. I don’t want people to be criminalised. I want to be [in] a society where we don’t automatically criminalise people. Let’s do things a bit differently and in a bit more civilised way.”

A spokesman for Corbyn would not elaborate on his views. But it is understood they are personal opinions rather than party policy.

The subject of the law around prostitution is controversial, with divisions within political parties, charities and the women’s movement about whether tougher or more relaxed legislation is the best way of protecting sex workers.

Corbyn’s position appears to chime with that of Amnesty International which last year provoked a mixed reaction when it called for “full decriminalisation of all aspects of consensual sex work”.

In contrast, the mood on sex work legislation in the EU appears to be moving in a different direction, after the European parliament in 2014 passed a non-bindingresolution in favour of criminalising the purchase of sex, putting pressure on member states to re-evaluate their policies.

This legal framework known as the Nordic model, because of its adoption in Sweden, is largely opposed by sex trade advocacy groups because they believe it puts workers at greater risk by driving them underground.

In 2014, Northern Ireland became the first part of the UK to impose a ban on paying for sex.

Selling sex is not illegal in the rest of the UK, but certain associated activities – soliciting, kerb crawling and running a brothel – are.

A number of MPs in the Labour party are pushing for a similar option that shifts the burden of criminality to the purchaser instead of the seller of sex.

Fiona MacTaggart, a senior MP, tried to introduce an amendment criminalising the purchase of sexual services in the modern slavery bill of 2014. However, the Labour party has stopped short of endorsing it overall, with then shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper instead proposing a “review of the links between prostitution and human trafficking and sexual exploitation”.

Amid calls for the law to be updated, the House of Commons home affairs committee is examining sex work legislation, including the idea of the Nordic model.

In evidence to the committee, the Home Office says it is yet to be convinced of the case but will watch carefully how the new system works in Northern Ireland. “We have not seen unequivocal evidence that any one approach is more effective at tackling harm and exploitation, which remains our priority,” it said.

“Recent developments in Northern Ireland, where in July 2015 legislation was commenced that criminalises all purchasing of sex whilst decriminalising all selling, provides an opportunity to observe the implementation and impact of such a change.”

Seems Corbyn is on his own on this one, which is shame.

 

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

MPs are so ready to dismiss the views of sex workers themselves, rather defeats the point of them being elected. Many of them won't even entertain the idea of legalisation and close down discussion as soon as they can; evidently their own sensibilities are more important than safety and basis rights.

 

[Dr. Dwayne]

MPs are so ready to dismiss the views of sex workers themselves, rather defeats the point of them being elected. Many of them won't even entertain the idea of legalisation and close down discussion as soon as they can; evidently their own sensibilities are more important than safety and basis rights.

Which is funny because probably at least 80% of them visit sex workers on a regular basis. It's keeping up appearances.

 

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

http://www.sexworkeropenuniversity....commends-the-decriminalisation-of-sex-workers

This is a landmark recommendation, and one which sets the England and Wales apart from the prevailing trend of recent years.

France, for example, has recently introduced legislation of a contrary and less liberal motivation.

 

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Protest being held this lunchtime outside of the Home Office. Not only did this 'rescue' involve sending these SWs to immigration centres, and not refuges, but the authorities have trousered £10,000s of their money while they were at it.

 

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

 

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

Bill makes sex workers ‘poorer and unsafe’

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/b...w?shareToken=cf546bebbd72e3bc114749ba3a40c3e7



The ''Swedish Model' is a load of crap, as has been acknowledged by activists and studies in Sweden itself. The Home Affairs Select Committee concluded that we should be heading along a totally opposite path. Conservative law and order types, and liberal feminists, have both been caught on the wrong side of this argument.

 

[Nedved]

Bill makes sex workers ‘poorer and unsafe’

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/b...w?shareToken=cf546bebbd72e3bc114749ba3a40c3e7



The ''Swedish Model' is a load of crap, as has been acknowledged by activists and studies in Sweden itself. The Home Affairs Select Committee concluded that we should be heading along a totally opposite path. Conservative law and order types, and liberal feminists, have both been caught on the wrong side of this argument.

The model is excellent and is being exported for a reason. No way that studies have acknowledged that the model is crap. Source please.