Independent Aberdeen City Escorts

Residents of Aberdeen have voiced concerns about the presence of sex workers in their community, particularly in Fraser House, an area increasingly populated by short-term rentals like Airbnbs. During a recent licensing hearing, these concerns were brought up, but unfortunately, lacked substantial evidence to sway council decisions.

Among the accusations were claims of sex workers frequenting the premises, covert surveillance, and even alleged instances of defacement. However, it's important to recognize that sex work is a legitimate profession and should not be stigmatized or sensationalized.

One resident vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that such claims were baseless attacks on her character and property. She emphasized that while some may not appreciate the presence of short-term rentals, spreading false rumors and accusations only perpetuates harm.

Others in the community attempted to investigate these claims, but their efforts were inconclusive. Despite suspicions, there was no concrete evidence to support the accusations of sex work.

Moreover, the timing of the council meeting prevented some concerned residents from attending and presenting their objections. However, those who did attend raised valid concerns about the potential impact on the community, especially vulnerable residents.

While there were testimonies from residents who claimed to have encountered suspicious activities, such as seeing individuals wearing bathrobes and entering the building with different companions, these observations remain subjective and open to interpretation.

In response to allegations, the flat owner emphasized the adherence to booking regulations and the positive contribution her property makes to the local tourism industry. She also highlighted the rigorous screening process for guests and the implementation of strict rules to maintain order.

It's crucial to approach these issues with sensitivity and understanding, recognizing the rights of individuals to engage in consensual work while also addressing any legitimate concerns regarding safety and community well-being. Ultimately, the council's decision to approve the short-term rental license underscores the need for continued dialogue and cooperation among all stakeholders involved.

Former candidate for leadership within the Scottish National Party (SNP), Ash Regan, has embarked on an initiative known as the "Unbuyable" campaign, with the primary objective of establishing a legal prohibition on the transactional aspect of sexual services. Regan, a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) and previously a minister responsible for community safety, seeks to curtail the practice of purchasing sexual services throughout Scotland.

At present, Scotland's legal framework criminalizes certain activities linked to prostitution, including "kerb crawling," public solicitation, and the operation of brothels. Nevertheless, the act of selling and buying sexual services remains permissible, including the operation of online platforms facilitating such transactions. Regan's "Unbuyable" campaign, hosted on Unbuyable.org, endeavors to instate fresh legislation that would criminalize the act of purchasing sexual services.

In her statement to The National, Regan elucidated the campaign's broader mission, characterizing it as a "clarion call" aimed at eradicating the systemic exploitation of women and girls in Scotland. The campaign seeks to foster a society where the sanctity of human dignity is inviolable and where women and girls are not subjected to commodification. Regan aspires to transform this vision into a tangible reality with the support of the public.

The Unbuyable website further underscores the campaign's purpose, emphasizing the imperative for society to confront an unsettling verity: that the purchase of sexual services is far from victimless, entailing enduring scars of exploitation. Regan's mission is unequivocal: to bring an end to this practice in Scotland, affirming that human dignity is not a tradable commodity. This mission envisions a Scotland where every individual becomes truly "Unbuyable."

While the Scottish Government's 2021-2022 Programme for Government (PfG) included a commitment to formulate an effective strategy addressing the demand for prostitution among men, this commitment appears to have been omitted from the subsequent two annual programs for 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. In 2022, Dr. Jacci Stoyle, the secretary of the Scottish Parliament's Cross-Party Group on Commercial Sexual Exploitation, pointed out that Sweden had, since 1999, enacted legislation criminalizing the purchase of sexual services. This Swedish approach, commonly referred to as the "Nordic Model," has witnessed a noteworthy shift in societal attitudes, with a mere 0.29 percent of men in Sweden reportedly engaging in the purchase of sexual services, in stark contrast to approximately 10 percent of men in the United Kingdom who admit to such behavior.

Several advocacy organizations in Scotland, including Tara (Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance), the Encompass Network, Routes Out, and Survivors of Human Trafficking, have previously advocated for the Scottish Government to follow Sweden's example. The organization Zero Tolerance, dedicated to ending male violence against women, also articulated concerns about the existing legal framework in Scotland. In a 2011 blog post written by lawyer Phillipa Greer, the organization criticized Scotland's laws as "unhelpful and contradictory," asserting that they stigmatize prostitutes by prioritizing public nuisance concerns.

Greer additionally raised the critical point that by criminalizing public acts linked to the sale of sexual services while not addressing the act of purchasing itself, Scottish law may inadvertently drive women into more perilous circumstances. She argued that the visibility of such activities in public spaces is what constitutes the offense, and these restrictions overlook the inherent harm endured by sex workers, while also increasing the risks they face. Such restrictions may prompt sex workers to hastily enter vehicles to avoid drawing attention, and they can lead to displacement, forcing individuals into more concealed and less supervised areas.

For those interested in further information about Ash Regan's "Unbuyable" campaign, additional details are available on the campaign's website.

Two new reports have looked at the lived experiences of Scottish sex workers and how other countries are attempting to stop the cycle of prostitution.

The research was commissioned and instigated by the Scottish Government in their attempt to criminalize the purchase of sex.   The lived experience, and international evidence review highlight the experiences of Scottish escorts and sex workers.

The lived experience review shows how some women working as escorts did not know about the support services available to leave prostitution.

 

The international evidence looked at framework in other countries. This appears according to this newspaper article to have only looked at the Nordic model.

1. Laws that criminalize the client and decriminalize the sex worker.

2 Support for 'victims' and helping those selling sex to exit.

3. Change societal views on prostitution, preventing demand.

I can't see in this newspaper article that they looked at total decriminalization as in New Zealand and much or Eastern Australia.

 

A sex worker charity has criticised a Government consultation which could lead to men being banned from buying sex. A sex worker involved with SCOTPEP warned that a law criminalising clients would be a “rapist’s charter” by forcing women to take greater risks.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant previously lodged a bill to criminalise the purchase of sex, but it did not pass.

She has welcomed the consultation and said it must lead to legislation making the purchase of sex illegal. 

She said: “The purchase of sex is a violent act against women and it should be criminalised."

However, SCOTPEP, which represents sex workers, has slammed the consultation.

Nadine Stott, a charity board member, said: “We’re very concerned about the timing and content of this consultation, with many sex workers still struggling with the effects of COVID-19.