International Union of Sex Workers
Our aim.
The International Union of Sex Workers (IUSW) campaigns for the human, civil and labour rights of those who work in the sex industry.
All workers including sex workers have the right to:
- full protection of all existing laws, regardless of the context and without discrimination. These include all laws relating to harassment, violence, threats, intimidation, health and safety and theft.
- access the full range of employment, contract and property laws.
- participate in and leave the sex industry without stigma
- full and voluntary access to non-discriminatory health checks and medical advice
The current organisation of the sex industry presents many problems for workers and the communities within which the industry operates. Improving the legal framework and self-organisation of sex workers is to the benefit of all parties. Recognising both the rights and responsibilities of sex workers is the only sensible way forward.
BBC Womans Hour -19th January. The Olympics and Trafficking
January 19th, 2012Georgina Perry, Open Doors, providing outreach support and advice to sex workers, and Julie Bindel, argue about Trafficking and the Olympics. This was aired on the BBC Womans Hour Thursday 19th January.
Listen here Thu Jan 19 12;49;22 2012
Tags: Georgina Perry, Julie Bindel
Posted in Journalism, News | No Comments »
Labour attempt at private members bill to criminalise purchase of sex under 21 years old
January 18th, 2012John Mann is attempting to bring in a private members bill to criminalise purchase of sex from under 21 years olds. The present limit is 18, though John Mann seems to think it is 16.
There is an important debate to be held on the rights and wrongs of prostitution and the laws that should have an impact on it, by my Bill does not deal with that. My Bill does one thing: it raises the threshold for the illegality of paying for sex. Of course there is a threshold, which is currently 16. Where someone is under 16, the huge consequences of the criminal law and imprisonment are involved because of the age of consent. But the moment the victim becomes older than 16 there are no punitive powers to deal with the person who is paying.
John Mann needs to get his facts straight before attempting this bill. Secondly raising the age from 18 to 21. Why? At 18 you can go to Afghanistan and fight and be killed, so why should an 18 year old be protected from making their own decision on sex work when they can make pretty well all other major decisions in life.
The names on the bill:
John Mann, Fiona Mactaggart, Natascha Engel, Mrs Louise Ellman, Gavin Shuker and Siobhain McDonagh
Tags: Fiona Mactaggart, Gavin Shuker, John Mann, Mrs Louise Ellman, Natascha Engel, Siobhain McDonagh
Posted in News | 1 Comment »
The Olympics and Trafficking: Myths and Evidence
January 17th, 2012
Date: Wednesday 25 January 2012
Time: 5:45 pm
Venue: John Snow, LSHTM, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
Type of event: Presentation
Speaker(s): Julie Ham, GAATW, Marlise Richter, International Centre for Reproductive Health, Ghent University, Joanna Busza, LSHTM
Chair(s): tbc
Abstract: In the lead up to the 2012 Olympic Games, concerns have been raised about the possibility of an increase in trafficking for sexual exploitation linked to the event. Similar rumours were circulated prior to other international sporting events, including the World Cup in Germany and South Africa, the Olympics in Athens and Vancouver, and the US Super Bowl. Yet once the fans go home, the media loses interest, and little is heard about the consistent lack of evidence for any rise in sex trafficking. Recent research demonstrates that anti-trafficking measures put into place in a range of countries have proved irrelevant, or harmful in cases where sex workers become increasingly criminalised and unable to access health and social programmes. As the 2012 Olympics come to London, this seminar will review the international evidence on trafficking, sex work and sports events, consider public health implications, and ask to what extent police and local authorities here in the UK are basing their policies on evidence.
Discussion Panel: Nivedita Prasad, Ban Ying Counseling and Coordination Center against Trafficking, Berlin Catherine Stephens, International Union of Sex Workers, London Georgina Perry, Open Doors, NHS Service for Newham, Hackney & Tower Hamlets
Refreshments will be made available at the end of the presentation.
Admission: Free and open to all with no ticket required. Entry is on a first come, first served basis.
Contact: Joanna Busza
Email: Joanna.Busza@lshtm.ac.uk
More information:www.gaatw.org/publications/WhatstheCostofaRumour.11.15.2011.pdf
Location map and directions to all LSHTM buildings
Posted in Events | No Comments »
Ground-breaking trial redefines obscenity law.
January 7th, 20127th January 2012
For immediate release.
Ground-breaking trial redefines obscenity law.
The International Union of Sex Workers is delighted by the unanimous verdicts of “not guilty” on all counts in the trial of Michael Peacock that concluded at Southwark Crown Court on Friday 6th January.
Michael’s courage and determination in pursuing this case was the first challenge to the Obscene Publications Act 1959 for many years. Understandably, most people charged with offences under this Act plead guilty as an innocent plea followed by a court case that returns a guilty verdict will result in a harsher sentence. This has the effect of leaving police and CPS opinion of what is “obscene” untested.
The DVDs that were the subject of this prosecution were sold through Michael’s website, sleazymichael.com, and on Craigslist. They contained scenes of male fisting, urination and BDSM. Michael was charged with six counts of publishing obscene articles likely to “deprave and corrupt”. The jury saw a substantial amount of the content which the police and CPS deemed illegal and required less than two hours deliberation to return unanimous not guilty verdicts on all counts. Therefore material showing the activities depicted is no longer defined as obscene in law.
It’s time to decriminalise sex between consenting adults.
Lady Chatterley trial of 1960 (R v Penguin Books) is still quoted as precedent in obscenity trials; the jury’s response in R v Peacock shows public opinion has clearly moved on considerably.
Catherine Stephens, activist with the International Union of Sex Workers, says, “In a week that has also seen the collapse of the Sheila Farmer trial for brothel keeping, it is time to decriminalise the sexual activities of consenting adults, whether or not they are in front of a camera. These two trials were an appalling waste of public resources: the law as it stands does nothing to enhance the safety either of the general public or those who work in the adult industry and often actively increases the dangers we face.”
Michael Peacock says, “Responsible treatment of pornography would allow adults who want to access sexually explicit materials freedom to do so and protect those who are underage or do not wish to view such content. The current legal framework fails to do either of these things. I give my thanks to my legal team at Hodge Jones Allen, the judge who heard my case and the twelve people who served on the jury whose maturity and commonsense has changed the law.”
Hazel Eracleous, Chair of Backlash comments, “Backlash is delighted that a jury decided it is no longer appropriate to prosecute people based on consensual adult sexual activity. We support the rights of adults to participate in all consensual sexual activities and to watch, read and create any fictional interpretation of such in any media. We will continue to raise awareness of the unseen consequences of these draconian laws, provide legal advice and defend those same consenting adults caught up in the Extreme Pornography and Obscene Publication laws.”
Myles Jackman, solicitor at Hodge Jones Allen with a specialist interest in obscenity cases states, “This case shows the Obscene Publications Act is no longer effective in the age of the internet.”
Jerry Barnett, Chairman of the Adult Industry Trade Association (AITA), says, “We congratulate Michael Peacock on his victory. The idea that depictions of consenting adult sexual activity can be deemed obscene is a throwback to an earlier age. The adult industry continues to develop and adopt technologies that prevent children from accessing sexual content. We see no need for adults to be protected from it – a free society should protect the rights of adults to participate in any consenting sexual act they choose.”
For further information contact:
Catherine Stephens
activist, International Union of Sex Workers
catherine@iusw.org
07772 638748
The IUSW is an organisation of people in adult services and entertainment and allies that campaigns for evidence-based policy and practice that protects the human rights and safety of those involved in the adult industry and includes meaningful consultation of those most affected.
Hazel Eracleous, Chair of Backlash
contact@backlash-uk.org.uk
Backlash is an umbrella organisation providing legal, academic and campaigning resources defending freedom of sexual expression. We support the rights of adults to participate in all consensual sexual activities and to watch, read and create any fictional interpretation of such in any media.
Jerry Barnett, Chairman of the Adult Industry Trade Association (AITA)
jerry@aita.co.uk
07921 339 776
The Adult Industry Trade Association (AITA) was created to support businesses, services and individuals in the adult industry within the UK. AITA aims to bring together anyone working within the adult sector, whatever their speciality.
Tags: AITA, Backlash, Brothel, Catherine Stephens, Chairman of the Adult Industry Trade Association, Craigslist, Extreme Pornography, Hazel Eracleous, Hodge Jones Allen, Jerry Barnett, Lady Chatterley, Michael Peacock, Myles Jackman, Obscene Publication, porn, pornography, Sheila Farmer
Posted in IUSW Activist Posts, Press Releases | 2 Comments »