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Hundreds of Sex Workers Criminalised Despite Parliamentary Committee Recommending
Decriminalisation PRESS RELEASE Monday 10 July 2017
A
survey by the English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP) shows that raids, arrests
and prosecutions of sex workers is continuing despite a Home Affairs
Committee report (July 2016) which recommended a change in the law “so that
soliciting is no longer an offence and so that brothel-keeping provisions
allow sex workers to share premises”. Spokeswoman
Laura Watson explained: “Women in
our network around the UK send us reports about raids and arrests they have
either experienced themselves or seen reported in the local press. For two
years we have been compiling this information and publicising it so that sex
workers know what is happening in their area. The majority of prosecutions
are of women working consensually together with others on the street or in
premises.” During January
to April 2017 the ECP received reports of: ·
7 areas where there were organised police crackdowns: Birmingham, Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe,
London (Leyton), Newquay and Pill. ·
11 reports of civil orders being issued. Civil orders,
such as Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs), Acceptable Behaviour Contracts,
Criminal Behaviour Orders, community protection notices, Public Spaces
Protection Orders and dispersal notices rely on police discretion and hearsay
evidence and require a lower standard of proof. Yet breach of a civil order
is a criminal offence and can carry a hefty fine and even a prison sentence.
One woman from Swindon went to prison for breaching an ASBO. ·
3 men arrested for kerb-crawling despite evidence that shows that the
criminalisation of clients undermines sex workers safety. ·
1 woman was given a “prostitute caution”. “Prostitute cautions” can be imposed without any
admission of guilt and cannot be appealed.
Like other cautions they remain on a person’s record until they are
100 years of age. ·
14 arrests/prosecutions for brothel-keeping. Brothel-keeping
law makes it illegal for
two or more sex workers to work together. Landlords, security guards,
employers and friends are convicted of “causing, inciting and controlling
prostitution for gain” even though they weren’t forcing anyone to work. ·
5 “Closure orders” issued. Like other civil orders these rely on police
discretion – an invitation to corruption. Police only have to “believe” that
certain offences are being committed or “will
be committed” to close premises. The occupants must, within 48 hours, go
to court to defend themselves against the closure. Few people can get legal representation in
this time. ·
1 report of fines imposed under proceeds of
crime laws. These laws are
draconian and give the police powers to freeze and confiscate people’s assets
and income, even before a conviction. The police and the Crown Prosecution
Service keep a percentage of any profit, corrupting priorities and fuelling
raids. ·
3 people arrested for immigration offences. Migrant women are disproportionately targeted by
police for arrest and raids. One
case that is coming
to court on 25 July is of a 70 year old woman who is facing trial for
brothel-keeping. She worked as a cleaner and was not involved in running the
premises. She only came to the police attention because she went to the aid
of a client who collapsed. In other cases, letters are delivered to premises
saying: “police officers will conduct a further visit to these premises . . .
any female at this address now who is found at the same address in the future
is VERY LIKELY to be arrested.” A
similar number of arrests and prosecutions were seen during October to December 2016.
The ECP survey records: police crackdowns in seven areas, 22 people were
arrested or charged for brothel-keeping, Redbridge council alone closed 50
alleged brothels, four people arrested for immigration offences and two civil
orders used. During
January to April 2016 the following incidents were reported to the ECP:
27 Closure orders issued; 30 arrests or prosecutions for brothel-keeping; 28
people arrested or prosecuted for “carding” (putting up sex workers adverts);
police crackdowns in three areas including in Greater Manchester where 24
arrests were made in one week and Luton where 48
vehicles were stopped and 34 sex workers moved on (to more isolated and
dangerous areas no doubt). Ms
Watson continues: “At
a time when unemployment, benefit cuts and sanctions, lowering wages,
increased homelessness, and debt are forcing more women, particularly
mothers, into prostitution, it is unacceptable for the police to be focussed
on criminalising women. Members of Parliament should take action to end
austerity which has disproportionately impacted on women
and back the Home Affairs Committee recommendations to ensure that the
police prioritise sex workers’ safety and protection.”
For
comment please contact: Laura Watson 020 7482 2496 Notes to Editors: The English Collective of Prostitutes is a
self-help organisation of sex workers, working both
on the street and in premises, with a national network throughout the UK. We
campaign for the decriminalisation of prostitution,
for sex workers’ rights and safety, and for resources to enable people to get
out of prostitution if they want to. For more information on prostitution please see ECP Press Briefing. |
