Guardian UK: Sex work should not be a crime [View All]

Sex work should not be a crime
Recent legislation is further criminalising prostitutes but doing nothing about the reasons why they choose this work

Cari Mitchell
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 7 April 2010


The Policing and Crime Act came into force yesterday. Its anti-prostitution measures were put forward by government feminists who advocate the "Swedish model".

In 1998, Sweden passed legislation making it illegal for men to purchase sexual services. This was part of a package also covering stalking, rape and domestic violence, so few have questioned it.

Soon, the criminalisation of prostitution – not the neglect and exploitation of mothers, nor support for breastfeeding, nor the rape conviction rate, nor pay equity – became the measure of a government's feminist credentials. On 26 March, Iceland's feminist head of state banned stripping and lap-dancing. UK ministers, who have introduced repressive law-and-order measures – from Asbos to detention without trial – and put double the number of women in prison, have lapped up this criminalisation.

While attention has focused on criminalising clients (though less harsh than the total ban government feminists had advocated), the measures that target women remain hidden. Police powers to arrest women deemed to be loitering or soliciting have been reinforced, and women are coerced into "rehabilitation" under threat of imprisonment. It is also easier to close brothels (where two or more women can work together more safely than on the street), and to seize women's assets and savings. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/apr/07/sex-work-crime-legislation