Crackdowns only hide prostitution

Excellent letter in the Guardian today, see below . I higlighted the best approach some time ago.

In 1999, after years of research and study, Sweden passed legislation that a) criminalizes the buying of sex, and b) decriminalizes the selling of sex. The novel rationale behind this legislation is clearly stated in the government's literature on the law:

"In Sweden prostitution is regarded as an aspect of male violence against women and children. It is officially acknowledged as a form of exploitation of women and children and constitutes a significant social problem... gender equality will remain unattainable so long as men buy, sell and exploit women and children by prostituting them."

In addition to the two pronged legal strategy, a third and essential element of Sweden's prostitution legislation provides for ample and comprehensive social service funds aimed at helping any prostitute who wants to get out, and additional funds to educate the public.

As such, Sweden's unique strategy treats prostitution as a form of violence against women in which the men who exploit by buying sex are criminalized, the mostly female prostitutes are treated as victims who need help, and the public is educated in order to counteract the historical male bias that has long stultified thinking on prostitution. To securely anchor their view in firm legal ground, Sweden's prostitution legislation was passed as part and parcel of the country's 1999 omnibus violence against women legislation.

'The proposals of zero tolerance against sex workers and clients announced by Ipswich local authorities replicate almost exactly the policies in place before the tragic murders of five young women (Anti-prostitution strategy to offer counselling or court, March 22).

Police crackdowns and Asbos push prostitution further underground. Women will end up in more isolated, less-well-lit areas where they are more vulnerable to attack, and - fearing arrest - will be even less able to report rape and other violence to the police.

Measures to ensure "women do not become involved in street prostitution in the first place" offer no budget or resources to address the economic causes of prostitution: poverty, debt, lack of affordable housing, cuts in benefits, low wages and addiction to expensive drugs. Some 70% of prostitute women are mothers - as were three of the Ipswich victims.

In response to widespread compassion and concern for the women who were murdered and for their families, we have formed the Safety First Coalition to prevent this happening again. We are looking at how sex work was decriminalised in New Zealand and at viable economic alternatives to prostitution. Sadly the government has shown no interest in protecting women's lives, only in repression.
Cari Mitchell
English Collective of Prostitutes
Camille Shah
Ipswich
Revd Andrew Dotchin
Ipswich
Dr Peter Carter
General secretary, Royal College of Nursing
John Furniss
Multiple Choice rehabilitation centre
And six others

Saturday March 24, 2007 The Guardian