In the Booth with Ruth – Tracey Helton, Writer
harm reduction
‘Criminalising the Purchase of Sex: Lessons from Sweden’ – Dr Jay Levy Discusses His New Book
In terms of the focus on Sweden’s sex purchase law, I was particularly struck by the extent to which the law is internationally influential, but in a context where the law hadn’t been involvedly evaluated by the Swedish government and where much work produced on the topic seemed hugely biased, and...
The Enemy of my Enemy… Why I Want to Talk with Abolitionists about the Cons’ New Prostitution Bill
Originally posted on autocannibal:
This is Not Feminist Legislation, and it’s Not Supply-Side Decriminalization For those of us who would like to see sex workers totally decriminalized within our lifetimes, the Conservative government’s Bill C36 – a replacement for the anti-prostitution laws struck down by the Supreme Court in R v. Bedford – was worse…
This is Not Feminist Legislation, and it’s Not Supply-Side Decriminalization For those of us who would like to see sex workers totally decriminalized within our lifetimes, the Conservative government’s Bill C36 – a replacement for the anti-prostitution laws struck down by the Supreme Court in R v. Bedford – was worse…
MEDIA RELEASE: Drugs and HIV groups call on UK to reject United Nations drugs declaration | Harm Reduction International
The Swedish Model Criminalising The Purchase of Sex Is Dangerous: The European Parliament Should Have Rejected It
In sound bites, the Swedish Government has been spinning their sex purchase ban, known as the “Swedish model” or sometimes the “Nordic model” though it is not adopted by all Nordic countries, as a success. However, research does not show it has reduced sex trafficking or sex work. In addition, their own police report demonstrates it has pushed prostitution indoors with nearly three times as many Thai massage parlours in Stockholm and the vicinity.
Action Alert: Stop Attacks, Arrests & Evictions Against Sex Workers
From The English Collective of Prostitutes: Violence against sex workers is increasing. Tragically, two sex workers have been murdered in London in the past three months. At the same time, the police have stepped up raids, arrests and closures of premises where women are working in relative safety. This is despite senior police officers admitting that: “[police] operations to tackle the trade are "counterproductive" and likely to put the lives of women at risk.” Eighteen flats in Soho, Central London, have been closed. Most of the women who were evicted are mothers and have now lost their livelihood. Women are appealing against eviction on 10, 17 and 24 February at Isleworth Crown Court. Please join us in demanding that these closures be stopped.
Dr Jay Levy, Researcher and Consultant, Discusses the Outcomes of the Criminalisation of the Purchase of Sex in Sweden
Dr Jay Levy conducted research in Sweden over several years on the outcomes of the Swedish criminalisation of the purchase of sex. His research and political interests include outcomes of sex work legislation and discourse; outcomes of drug legislation and discourse; feminist theory, gender theory, and queer theory; harm reduction, HIV/AIDS, STI, and blood-borne infection policy and law.
Criminalising Clients Puts People Working On-Street in Greater Danger and Forced ‘Exiting’ Does Not Work
BBC1 Inside Out – Documentary Investigating Policing of Prostitution in the South East – Monday 13 Jan, 7.30PM
International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers – 17th December
I wanted to write something for International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers but I didn't think I could as I've been in too much of a dark place these last few weeks with my own suffering from the repercussions of sexual violence. I wanted to go to London to stand in solidarity with sex workers and allies to mark this day, but for the same reasons, tonight, I couldn't do that either. Then I felt selfish wrapped up with my own pain when tonight there will be women in the sex trade who will be raped, who will be beaten and some will be murdered. So I have to say this...
In the Booth with Ruth – Kevin Jaffray, Drug Harm Reduction & Recovery Activist
Those feelings and the memories of feeling so alone are at the heart of everything I do in the field today. The empathy towards those who are living with the same feelings and fighting against the same demons and stigma that I felt during those years drives me to stay connected to those who are living with addiction and all its surrounding issues.
Taking Ideology to the Streets: Sex Work and How to Make Bad Things Worse
As I make her a cup of hot chocolate and count out free condoms, Dana takes a seat, tells me about last night. She waited on the streets for hours, frequently changing location in order to avoid police attention. The boyracers were out as usual, yelling abuse and throwing eggs as they sped by.... Gradually, the few remaining clients wore her down, and she agreed to do business with them for less than the usual price. She was out so long that she missed her hostel’s curfew and had to stay out...
BBC1 Inside Out: The Merseyside Hate Crime Model of Policing Prostitution – Monday 21 Oct, 7.30pm
The Merseyside hate crime model of policing prostitution leads the country. In these two documentaries for Inside Out, airing on BBC1 in the London and North West regions, writer Ruth Jacobs investigates why crimes against sex trade workers are going unpunished, clearly showing the urgency for the Merseyside model to be made UK wide to prevent more rapes and save lives, taking more rapists and murderers off the streets.
Don’t Put Us Out On The Streets: Soho sex trade workers & supporters protest against evictions – 11AM, Wednesday 9 October 2013
Women in 26 Romilly Street are facing eviction on Wednesday 9 October as a result of a police crackdown... The English Collective of Prostitutes is initiating legal action... Leyla, from Romilly Street says, "I have four children back in Thailand who would not survive without the money I send them. Their lives were turned upside down by the recent floods...” It is believed that the evictions are to make way for a major hotel and luxury flats development.
Ruth Jacobs 