FYI - Home Affairs Committee (Westminster) inquiry into prostitution - open for submissions

[Wizwo]

This is separate from the consultation which is happening in Scotland, on which there is already a thread. Apologies if there is a thread about this one, I couldn't see one.

The Home Affairs Committee is launching an inquiry into the way prostitution is treated in legislation. In particular, the inquiry assesses whether the balance in the burden of criminality should shift to those who pay for sex rather than those who sell it.

Written submissions are invited on the following issues:

Whether criminal sanction in relation to prostitution should continue to fall more heavily on those who sell sex, rather than those who buy it.

What the implications are for prostitution-related offences of the Crown Prosecution Service's recognition of prostitution as violence against women.

What impact the Modern Slavery Act 2015 has had to date on trafficking for purposes of prostitution, what further action is planned, and how effectively the impact is being measured.

Whether further measures are necessary, including legal reforms, to:
Assist those involved in prostitution to exit from it
Increase the extent to which exploiters are held to account
Discourage demand which drives commercial sexual exploitation


Deadline for submissions is Thursday 18 Feb.

www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/home-affairs-committee/news-parliament-2015/160114-new-inquiry---prostitution/

[DrSeussRevived]

Thanks!

[WomanWithAltitude]

Thanks! I think it goes without saying that the burden of criminality should be on punters myself but I will do a response explaining why.

[NormaStanleyFletcher]

Thank you for the info.

[feminimam78]

Hasn't this been tried before like 10 times? The now retired Trish Godman tried several times to pass the Swedish model then Rhoda Grant tried several times. And this included sneaky attempts to attach it onto the tail end of unrelated bills (which unfortunately people noticed) as well as private member bills with public consultations.

But each time the attempts came under resistance from groups made up of prostituted women who didn't want the Swedish model. How annoying. They should stay quiet so us feminists and our Christian friends can tell the country what prositution legislation should be.

[WomanWithAltitude]

What's your view of the many formerly prostituted women who support proposals to criminalise the buying of sex? Do they not count?

[PalmerViolet]

Which groups of prostituted women? Every one that has a voice is overrun by pimps, owners, madams and escort agency owners.

Hopefully this time it will pass.

[weeonion]

Femininam - the proposals you refer to relate to Scotland. This particular consultation on this thread is for England and wales.

If you read the consultation responses to the Trish godmans and Rhoda grants bills - you will see the wide variety of individuals and organisations who actually did support it - from women in prostitution, survivor, academics, support orgs, services, equality groups etc.