English Collective of Prostitutes
Encyclopedia
The English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP) founded in 1975, campaigns for the decriminalisation of prostitution
, sex workers’ right to recognition and safety, and financial alternatives so that no one is forced into prostitution by poverty.
The ECP provides information, help and support to individual prostitute women and others who are concerned with sex workers’ rights
, civil
, legal and economic rights.
The ECP works closely with the New Zealand Prostitutes Collective who spearheaded legislation in New Zealand to decriminalise prostitution. A recent government review found that after five years there had been no increase in the numbers of women working and women’s safety had improved.
, the National Association of Probation Officers
, bereaved families, anti-poverty campaigners, church people, residents of red light areas, medical and legal professionals, prison reformers, sex workers, anti-rape organisations, drug rehabilitation projects.
which includes proposals to criminalise anyone involved in the sex industry whether or not there is force or coercion; target safer premises; seize and retain money and assets, even without a conviction; increase arrests against street workers; arrest men on ‘sus’; imprison sex workers who breach a compulsory rehabilitation order.
The ECP has publicised the ways in which these measures will force prostitution underground, exposing sex workers to greater danger and preventing them coming forward to report violence and access health and other services.
have been targeting prostitutes working in the Oxford Road area of Reading, Berkshire
for several years
.
News
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
, sex workers’ right to recognition and safety, and financial alternatives so that no one is forced into prostitution by poverty.
The ECP provides information, help and support to individual prostitute women and others who are concerned with sex workers’ rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
, civil
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
, legal and economic rights.
International
The English Collective of Prostitutes and the US PROStitutes Collective (US PROS) are part of the International Prostitutes Collective which has a network of sex workers in many countries of the world.The ECP works closely with the New Zealand Prostitutes Collective who spearheaded legislation in New Zealand to decriminalise prostitution. A recent government review found that after five years there had been no increase in the numbers of women working and women’s safety had improved.
Safety First Coalition
In the aftermath of the murders of five young women in Ipswich in December 2007, the ECP initiated the Safety First Coalition to decriminalise sex work and prioritise safety. Members include the Royal College of NursingRoyal College of Nursing
The Royal College of Nursing is a union membership organisation with over 395,000 members in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1916, receiving its Royal Charter in 1928, Queen Elizabeth II is the patron...
, the National Association of Probation Officers
National Association of Probation Officers
The National Association of Probation Officers is the trade union that represents probation officers and Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service reporters in the United Kingdom.NAPO was formed in 1912...
, bereaved families, anti-poverty campaigners, church people, residents of red light areas, medical and legal professionals, prison reformers, sex workers, anti-rape organisations, drug rehabilitation projects.
Policing and Crime Bill
The English Collective of Prostitutes is spearheading campaigning against the Policing and Crime Act 2009Policing and Crime Act 2009
The Policing and Crime Act 2009 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Act makes provision about police reform, prostitutes, sex offenders, sex establishments and certain other premises...
which includes proposals to criminalise anyone involved in the sex industry whether or not there is force or coercion; target safer premises; seize and retain money and assets, even without a conviction; increase arrests against street workers; arrest men on ‘sus’; imprison sex workers who breach a compulsory rehabilitation order.
The ECP has publicised the ways in which these measures will force prostitution underground, exposing sex workers to greater danger and preventing them coming forward to report violence and access health and other services.
Trafficking
The ECP challenges academically discredited research which falsely labels most sex workers as victims of trafficking.Local issues
The ECP has been involved in local campaigns aimed at making life safer for prostitutes following incidents in certain areas. For example:Ipswich
The Ipswich Murders of 2006 in which all the victims are alleged to have been prostitutes.Reading
Reading Borough Council and the Thames Valley PoliceThames Valley Police
Thames Valley Police, formerly known as Thames Valley Constabulary, is the territorial police force responsible for policing the Thames Valley area covered by the ceremonial counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire....
have been targeting prostitutes working in the Oxford Road area of Reading, Berkshire
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
for several years
.
External links
News
- Soho Brothel to Re-open, Times Nov 19 2008
- Sex and the Citizen - New Prostitution Laws Explained, The Independent 20 Nov 2008
- Jam, Jeruslem and Prostitutes, Sky News On-line