Independent Aberdeen Escorts

The Scottish Parliament has published the responses on the consultation on sex work, framed with the negative question of 'A consultation on challenging men's demand for prostitution, working to reduce the harms associated with prostitution and helping women to exit'.  I understand from previous press releases, the majority of resondants were in favour of some decriminilisation and not criminilising the buyer. The usual Nordic Model Now culptits were there.  Personally I was pleased to see the 'Sally Army' taking a pragmatic view of condeming the purchase of sex, but realising the criminilisation of the client would put the sex worker in danger.

Unforunatley all the usual suspects, such as Nordic Model Now, Scottish Women’s Aid and Encompass Network made their usual play from the discredited and dangerous Nordic Model, whcih research from Cambridge University and other institutions has shown to be dangerous to the sex worker.

We must also take issue with the phrasing of the questions, which a few sex workers who answered the questions, commented on.

If you want to reference the questions and answers , I would advise making a personal copy. Previous Scottish consulations have removed the responses on sex work without warning.

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.

Many street workers have to choose between being penniless or risking their lives having sex with reckless strangers. The Scottish Governments response has been totally inadequate, providing £60,000 to go between an estimated 1,000 sex workers. Giving money to an organisation which likely will only fund staff and not money to the sex workers. Four sex workers speak out, putting the record straight and ask why the money did not go to the charity Umbrella Lane who already has raised money for sex workers.

Strippers say they are facing "dwindling" customer numbers as the Covid-19 crisis keeps punters indoors.

"Dancers in 7th Heaven, where we have union recognition, are honouring booked shifts but with dwindling customers coming in it's becoming an exercise in futility and the pressure is being felt across the board.