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Original poster

proposed legislation in scotland - licensed saunas and legalised prostitution

409 replies

weeonion · 30/11/2015 12:32

A consultation is currently happening in Scotland to make charges to the laws around prostitution, brothel keeping and pimping. No matter what you think - it would be good to have your voice, experiences and opinions heard in this. They have just extended the deadline to the 8th December so if time has been an issue for you - you now have another week!

Responses prepared electronically should be sent by e-mail to:
[email protected]
Responses prepared in hard copy should be sent by post to:
Jean Urquhart MSP
Room M3.20
Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
You may also contact Jean Urquart’s office by telephone on (0131) 348 5052

OP posts:
emmawinkI · 05/12/2015 11:38

And it goes without saying prohibition is not going to be any deterrent at all to violent punters. If a punter doesn't care about the consequences of the laws against assaulting or raping someone (which can carry a prison term), do you really think they are going to care about a law against buying sex (which carries a very small fine in Sweden).

If prohibition deters any clients at all it will be some of the "safe" clients who are deterred, meaning the pool of clients they have remaining are more dangerous as a whole, and since this means sex workers have less customers they may end up forced to accept bookings from clients they may otherwise have declined.

"I ama bit sceptical about UN AIDS tbh - given links with pimps and traffickers. "

Excuse me? Do you have a source for this serious allegation?

Original poster
weeonion · 05/12/2015 08:07

Still working on my response with deadline extended.

I don't think anywhere has a model that truly works. Some of the reports I was reading from new Zealand suggest ongoing problems. It doesn't seem like punters have changed their behaviour much.

I ama bit sceptical about UN AIDS tbh - given links with pimps and traffickers.
Also HIV Scotland - hmmmm, who are they representative any more. Seems like anyone can get on their board to deliberately change policy!

OP posts:
emmwinkl · 05/12/2015 00:42

and it also points out criminalisation costs money- money which has to come from somewhere- in Sweden's case there is now less money available for social work.

emmwinkl · 05/12/2015 00:38

Page 38 of a report by the UN HIV and the Law Commission:

www.hivlawcommission.org/resources/report/FinalReport-Risks,Rights&Health-EN.pdf

proposed legislation in scotland - licensed saunas and legalised prostitution
emmwinkl · 05/12/2015 00:33

HIV Scotland also support Jean's proposal.

There is no evidence the "swedish model" has worked, all they can come up with is to say that street prostitution has reduced since the year 1999 (which may be attributed to the internet and online escort bookings becoming more popular since then).

The "swedish model" IMO puts sex workers at risk- they are criminalised if they work together and risk eviction if they are working from a home they are renting. Jean's proposal will eliminate these risks and allow groups of up to 4 to work together.

ultimately for me it comes down to this- which model is safest for those working in the sex industry?

I have responded to the consultation in favour of all her proposed amendments.

Original poster
weeonion · 01/12/2015 12:06

Bear in mind that amnesty uk abstained to vote on that policy due to 2 conflicting motions being proposed and passed at AGM.

Also - there is of course conflicting evidence tonsay the swedish model has worked and the new Zealand one has failed to deliver on its stated aims.

I am neck deep in research and policy papers writing my response but ultimately for me it comes down to - is this a job like any other or is it sexualised inequality.

OP posts:
sausageeggbacon111 · 01/12/2015 09:47

Interesting that in the Foreward she suggests that the Swedish model has failed. She is basing the proposal on the New Zealand model, a lot of research has gone into this proposal and it seems to mirror what Amnesty and UN WHO have put forward.

HirplesWithHaggis · 30/11/2015 13:08

jeanurquharthighlandsandislandsmsp.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/prostitution-law-reform-bill-consultation.pdf

The consultation document. It might be sensible to read it before responding.

VestalVirgin · 30/11/2015 13:03

I thought that after the legalised prostitution in Germany increased trafficking and generally made everything much worse, other countries would be more sensible.

Apparently not.

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