A former intercourse employee has advised a Holyrood committee that Scotland must “put the not for sale sign out” and cross new legal guidelines on prostitution.
Diane Martin was giving proof to the Prison Justice Committee on Wednesday to assist proposals put ahead by Alba MSP Ash Regan which, if handed, might see these convicted of shopping for intercourse fined as much as £10,000 or face jail.
The Prostitution (Offences and Help) (Scotland) Invoice goals to criminalise these shopping for intercourse, whereas decriminalising these promoting it.
Ms Martin advised the committee, which is scrutinising the invoice, she had beforehand labored in London at “the supposed highest end of prostitution”.
Nevertheless, she mentioned: “It is no different if you are in a five-star hotel or in an alley.”
She urged the MSPs to again the proposal, telling them: “We think of ourselves as a progressive country, and we need to put the not for sale sign out.”
Picture:The invoice has been proposed by Alba MSP Ash Regan. Pic: AP
One other ex-sex employee, Amanda Jane Fast, mentioned criminalising these shopping for intercourse would act as a “deterrent” and will subsequently “reduce demand and reduce violence”.
She recounted her experiences working each on the streets and in a brothel.
Ms Fast mentioned she was raped on the age of 18 by a consumer in a brothel, and likewise advised how when she turned pregnant and tried to depart, she was inspired to remain as “men liked young pregnant women” and subsequently would have the opportunity to make more cash.
Ms Fast, who now campaigns for the introduction of the so-called Nordic mannequin, the place promoting intercourse is decriminalised however its buy is made a legal act, mentioned promoting intercourse “can never be made safe”.
She advised the committee such work “will always be underground, because the men and women who sell don’t want anybody really to find out”.
Ms Fast mentioned prostitution “thrives on silence and thrives on violence”, including: “When I sold sex I was also selling silence and secrets, not just my body.”
She mentioned the proposals outlined within the invoice would assist “change the thoughts and attitudes and beliefs of society”.
Bronagh Andrew, operations supervisor for Trafficking Consciousness Elevating Alliance (TARA), mentioned: “There must be a really sturdy message despatched out to civic society that paying for intercourse causes hurt to a major variety of girls.
“It’s overwhelmingly males which can be those paying for intercourse, and it’s overwhelmingly girls who’re promoting intercourse.
“That needs to be understood better and a clear message going out saying ‘this is not a harmless activity, this does cause harm to women and society in general’.”
Different campaigners warned the laws might depart intercourse employees at an elevated threat of violence.
Laura Baillie of Scotland for Decrim – which needs intercourse work to be totally decriminalised – advised the committee the group “strongly oppose” the invoice, saying: “It does improve the chance of violence towards intercourse employees.
“It puts them in more danger because it limits their ability to conduct safety checks such as asking for ID or providing a deposit so there is a record of a financial transaction.”
She went on to say an app which is a “vital lifeline for many sex workers”, permitting them to warn one another of shoppers who’re violent or abusive, might not be capable to proceed if the regulation is modified as a result of it could possibly be “seen as facilitating a crime”.
Niki Adams of the English Collective of Prostitutes additionally mentioned criminalising those that purchase intercourse would “endanger sex workers and push us underground”.
She mentioned: “There isn’t any proof it reduces prostitution.
“We actually really feel that the largest flaw of this invoice is it doesn’t tackle the poverty, homelessness, lack of pay fairness, costly childcare and lots of the different causes that push girls particularly and moms particularly into intercourse work.
“We agree with the purpose, in the end, of attempting to cut back prostitution, as a result of we expect girls ought to have the choice to depart in the event that they wish to.
“But we do not understand why the focus is not on ending women’s poverty.”
