The sex industry is under attack

The sex industry is under attack. Although at first glance the recently announced law proposals sound good intentioned, there is a lot wrong with them. The idea of making men accountable for their actions where trafficked and coerced women are concerned sounds a good idea, but there are laws already, which can be used. The problem is the way the new law is proposed to criminalize a buyer of sex where the seller is controlled for gain. Controlled for gain is already defined, and this not only includes trafficked women, but includes women working in brothels and for agencies. That means most Commercial Sex will become illegal for the client. Jacqui Smith has said she intends this to be 90% of all clients.

A client can be good intentioned and try to ascertain that the worker is not controlled; this will be no excuse, because the new law intends to be based on strict liability.

Independent escorts

should also fight the proposed law changes. How many independents share premises and flats? These in future will be liable to shut by police application, and everyone including the land lord will be barred entry. A big detterent to landlords renting flats.

As a punter how do I know that the independent is not working for some abusive boy friend? This makes it a lot more risky for all, and will drive all sex work into new hidden depths and will do nothing to help the abused sex workers.

After the new law

Jacqui has made it plain this is the start. The intention is go for full criminalization of client. Already they are talking about cutting off brothel and agency phones.

What about places like Manchester with its tolerance of Brothels. They will be targeted. Jacqui has talked about applying the law consistently across the country. This sounds like police forces will be told to close brothels and prosecute the owners, and the clients caught. The police also have the incentive to prosecute, they get 50% of the proceeds of the profits from crime.

What can we do?

We must fight this. As an agency, an agency worker, or independent escort, I urge you all to join the International Union of Sex Workers, this is branch of the GMB union. GMB has almost 600,000 members working in every part of the economy. One in every 32 people at work in the UK is a member of GMB and GMB is organised in 34 of the UK's biggest 50 companies. When you join.

Both clients and sex workers can also continue to write to their MPs. George McCoy has set up a website which contains information about which way you MP is likely to vote, and also has some sample letters you might want to use as a template. Please write. Another good way to contact your MP is through the very good site they work for you

Contact your MP, not another MP. Your MP is obliged to listen to you. You will have to give your name and address to show you live in their patch. They should not pass this information on. Everyone should write, especially escorts. Explain why you work, how you work and what you see this law will do to you and others. I have written many times, and will probably seek a face to face meeting with my MP in the future. I know many clients and escorts who have also written,

Finally the IUSW needs cash to fund the campaign. It campaigns at the political level and has access to ministers and MPs. Many labour MPs are sponsered by the GMB. I will shortly be posting a link to the IUSW camaign fund. This is waiting to be set up.

I will be publishing a guide to the proposed laws and their ramifications on here shortly

Finally the IUSW needs cash to fund the campaign. It campaigns at the political level and has access to ministers and MPs. Many labour MPs are sponsered by the GMB. I will shortly be posting a link to the IUSW camaign fund. This is waiting to be set up.

I will be publishing a guide to the proposed laws and their ramifications on here shortly