Proposals before parliament will endanger people who work in the sex industry.
The government plans to increase criminalisation of the sex industry in the hope of deterring trafficking and targeting exploitation. In fact, the new Bill will have the exact opposite effect, making it easier to hide trafficked women or get away with violence against sex workers. In some circumstances, the law will overrule our right to consent to sex.
The result will be that all sex workers will be more vulnerable; the protection of the law will effectively be withdrawn from us.
If the government wants to reduce the social exclusion of sex workers, they should include us when consulting on new laws
by Catherine Stephens
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday November 19 2008 18.40 GMT
In the nearly ten years I've been working in the sex industry, everyone I've met has had an opinion about my work. When it comes to prostitution, everyone has an opinion.
by Douglas Fox
guardian.co.uk
Wednesday November 19 2008 12.00 GMT
It is disappointing that the government has chosen to ignore the legitimate rights and aspirations of sex workers by ignoring our calls that our human rights be recognised.
Proposed changes in the law will endanger sex workers, particularly migrants, victims of trafficking and women who work on the street. Public support is vital to stop this.
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Government plans aimed at curbing exploitation in the sex industry will imperil workers' lives and human trafficking victims' chances of rescue, warns the International Union of Sex Workers.
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The single most important benefit of joining the IUSW GMB Branch is that you will be part of a huge organisation which recognises the legitimacy of working in the sex industry, that is dedicated to campaigning for sex workers' rights, improving your working life and offering practical assistance with both work and non-work matters.
Employment and working conditions
Q: Working in the sex industry?
A: Then join the International Union of Sex Workers.
We are a branch of the GMB Union established specifically for workers from the sex and adult entertainment industry, whether you work as an escort, in a massage parlour, a private flat, on the street, a shop selling adult videos, behind or in front of the camera making adult entertainment, a strip club or from home doing phone sex. You can join anonymously, regardless of immigration or taxation status
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