Julie Bindel is Still around
2024-04-03
elrond
Arrrgh. This came up in my time line. Julie Bindel on why Sex Work is Bullshit. I hadn't heard Julie for several years now, I thought she had disappeared, but no she is going strong on her pet project, the extinction of Sex Work.
Watch at your peril, this is a Trigger Warning.
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Scottish Government delayed prostitution law change to avoid row with Greens,
2024-03-11
elrond
In the ongoing discourse surrounding sex work legislation, the Green Party stands out for its commitment to progressive policies aimed at safeguarding the rights and well-being of sex workers. Maggie Chapman, the Scottish Greens spokesperson for justice, equality, and human rights, has been a vocal advocate for this cause, shedding light on the dangers inherent in approaches like that advocated b .....
Violence against sex workers ‘a daily reality’, 20 years after Emma Caldwell murder
2024-03-04
elrond
Of the 585 reports of violence received by the charity (National Ugly Mugs) in 2023, only 11% felt safe enough with support to make a full report to police and only 45% consented to provide anonymous intelligence.
“We all know that predators target sex workers because they can do so with impunity,” says Bowen. “Sex workers are rarely believed.”
She adds: &l .....
Emma Caldwell let down by policing, force admits after killer finally convicted
2024-03-01
elrond
Police Scotland apologized for failures in handling the case of murdered sex worker Emma Caldwell and other victims of her killer, Iain Packer, in 2005. Packer, aged 51, was found guilty of Caldwell's murder and 11 charges of rape against nine women, among other offenses. The police acknowledged shortcomings in their investigation. Caldwell, 27, disappeared in Glasgow in April 2005, and her b .....
Residents of Aberdeen have voiced concerns about the presence of sex workers in their community
2024-02-24
elrond
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 frequentin .....
WhatsApp Bans on Sex Workers Raise Concerns for Safety and Privacy
2024-02-24
elrond
In a disturbing trend, sex workers using WhatsApp, a messaging platform owned by Meta, have reported sudden and unexplained account bans, leaving them feeling vulnerable and isolated. This article explores the experiences of sex workers like Alice, Reed Thomas-Litman, and Danielle, shedding light on the potential consequences of such bans on their safety, privacy, and professional networks.
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Criminalising purchase of sex, such as in Ireland, increases risk of violence, says Council of Europ
2024-02-17
elrond
The Council of Europe (COE), a prominent organization dedicated to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law on the continent since its establishment in 1949, has consistently advocated for the protection of marginalized groups. Among these, sex workers often face stigma and violence, exacerbated by laws criminalizing the purchase of sex, as highlighted by COE's Commissioner for Human Righ .....
Second bid to ban strip clubs defeated as council votes to keep existing venues
2024-02-07
elrond
A second attempt to prohibit strip clubs in Edinburgh has been thwarted as councillors voted to allow the city's three existing venues to remain open. However it was voted down by seven votes to two.
The Labour administration of the council proposed imposing a 'nil cap' on sexual entertainment venues, intending to force their closure due to concerns about their alleged .....
Caldwell murder accused told police he lied about knowing her
2024-02-04
elrond
Accused of murdering a sex worker, Iain Packer confessed to police that he had taken her to the area where she was found dead multiple times. Packer, 50, provided a witness statement at Cathcart Police Station in 2007, after previously doing so in 2006. Detective David Barr, now retired, testified at the High Court in Glasgow, where Packer faces 46 charges related to the murder of Emma Caldwell i .....
Emma Caldwell murder accused 'attacked' her
2024-01-25
elrond
In a harrowing testimony, a woman has recalled a traumatic ordeal, alleging she was attacked in a van by the suspect linked to the Emma Caldwell murder case, describing the experience as a desperate flight for survival.
Appearing before the High Court in Glasgow, the woman, now in her 40s and a former sex worker, detailed an incident dating back to the early 2000s. She claimed to have been p .....