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Anti-prostitution laws are designed to make the lawmakers feel good about their gender equality, but results in sex workers feeling...er...dead
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 | 21st April 2015
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| Thanks to Therumbler
See
article from
edinburghnews.scotsman.com
See Police Raids Are Making
Edinburgh's Sex Saunas Less Safe from vice.com |
Sex workers in Edinburgh are facing increased health risks following the controversial police crackdown on saunas, a new report has revealed. Fewer women are attending the specialist NHS clinic set up to support them, and reports show that sexually
transmitted infections have increased. A series of police raids on saunas in 2013, known as Operation Windermere, was seen as signalling the end of Edinburgh's traditional pragmatic approach to prostitution. Now sex workers are also giving up
on condoms, with saunas refusing to stock them because police can use possession of them as evidence of selling sex. The report for the city council's health and social care committee, which draws together evidence from various agencies involved
with sex workers, also said many women had moved away from saunas and now operated from other venues, like flats or lap-dancing bars. The report also said: There is no evidence that the number of women selling sex in
Lothian has reduced, but they are not attending for support from NHS Lothian in the same volumes as in previous years. Anecdotally, we hear of women now selling sex in other venues, such as lap-dancing bars, and more women are
informing us that they are working from flats and advertising on the internet.
Chlamydia had increased by two per cent and cases of hepatitis B and C were also up. The report said: The problem of
unprotected intercourse may have been precipitated by fear of being found by the police to be in possession of condoms, which can be used as evidence to indicate the selling of sex. NHS Lothian supplies condoms to saunas, but
since Operation Windermere, many managers of these premises are reluctant to have condoms stored there. Compounding this risk is the problem that these venues are quieter, and some reports have indicated that women are
consequently competing for work and will practice unprotected intercourse in order to generate a larger income.
These findings come as no surprise to Scot-Pep who have long campaigned against aggressive enforcement action taken by
Police Scotland against sex workers. Stewart Cunningham, Co-chair of SCOT-PEP said: Since the police raided saunas in Edinburgh, the situation for sex workers has worsened dramatically. Many
have disclosed they feel increasingly threatened by law enforcement and the risk of arrest. Welfare agencies continue to work in co-operation with the police, which makes sex workers distrustful of them and reluctant to engage. This is reminiscent of the
experiences of Glasgow-based sex workers who have been working in a context that has prioritised zero-tolerance over a harm reduction approach for a number of years. Traditionally, sex workers in Edinburgh felt better protected by
the police than those working in Glasgow but with the enactment of Operation Windermere, where police raided sex worker premises and in some instances strip-searched women, this trust that they could rely on the police for protection has gone.
One woman, who spoke to SCOT-PEP in the aftermath of the police raids, described the way she had been treated by officers: I felt very bad, so violated. I've never been so humiliated in my life. Police Scotland
also routinely use condoms as evidence in prosecuting sex workers, as the council has noted. This flies in the face of all international guidance and must stop.
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Edinburgh's licensed massage parlour scheme has now ended
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| 16th March
2014
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| See article from
heraldscotland.com |
Police carried out inspections of Edinburgh's sex-for-sale saunas hours before a new system came into force that is likely to make brothel raids more difficult. The prospect of endless challenges to the system led to councillors proposing that saunas
should no longer be part of the licensing regime. The radical shift was approved in February and came in to force at midnight on March 7. Prior to the change, officers conducted last-minute inspections of 12 saunas. No arrests were made. One
insider said the 11th-hour inspections were undertaken as it was the last time police could freely enter the premises to check whether licensing conditions were being met. Police will now require a warrant, voluntary admittance, or the use of other
police powers to enter the unregulated saunas, which will now fall under the council's trading standards regime. Margo MacDonald MSP said Police Scotland had destroyed a settled policy and made life harder for officers:
Last year's raids have backfired badly on the police. There was a successful policy in place for 30 years, but now the women have less protection and police will have less access to intelligence. Trust has been shattered.
Superintendent Matt Richards said: Police Scotland and partners planned and carried out routine inspections of Edinburgh's licensed saunas on March 7 as part our continuing commitment to harm reduction and protecting vulnerable
individuals. |
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Edinburgh's licensed massage parlours under threat
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| 4th February
2014
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| 3rd February 2014. See article from
bbc.co.uk |
Proposals to scrap the licensing of saunas and massage parlours in Edinburgh will be considered by councillors today. The number of parlours has already been reduced after recent police raids. Edinburgh is the only Scottish city to operate a licensing
scheme, part of a tolerant approach to the sex trade. If all are withdrawn, the saunas could stay open, subject to trading standards and public health rules. Speaking last week, Gavin Barrie, City of Edinburgh Council's convener of the
regulatory committee, said it was no longer appropriate to consider saunas and massage premises for a public entertainment licence. Update: Licenses terminated 4th February 2013. See
article from heraldscotland.com
Edinburgh City Council have announced that six saunas which had previously been granted entertainment licences would lose that protection in 28 days. The council has terminated the licences of six establishments: Paradise, The New Gentle
Touch, the Dundas Street Sauna, Scorpio Leisure, Blair Street Sauna and New Town Sauna. The move marks a change in the city's long-standing tolerance of the sex trade and it follows a number of police raids, which were widely regarded as a sign
that the policy of turning a blind eye to such premises over the past two decades had come to an end. But during a meeting yesterday, the council said the arrangement was no longer effective and decided it would be scrapped. This does not
mean the saunas will close but they will now be open to more frequent raids by the police. MSP Margo MacDonald, who supports the licensing of saunas, said that the raids flew in the face of promises to keep policing local after the merger of the
eight distinct forces. Representatives of sex workers said the decision not to license saunas could put them more at risk. The charity Scot-Pep, which campaigns for the rights of sex workers, said it was disappointed by the council's decision. Its
spokeswoman said: This will mean women are working in constant fear of traumatising and counterproductive raids on their workplaces. Premises will be driven underground, away from service providers such as health
workers.
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Reprehensible police call for condoms to be banned in Edinburgh massage parlours
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| 25th
October 2013
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| 23rd October 2013. See article from
bbc.co.uk
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Police Scotland has written to the city council arguing that if it grants licences for five saunas it should be on condition that no condoms and items of a sexual nature are allowed on the premises. Sex workers' charity Scot-pep has condemned the
police proposal saying it could lead to an HIV epidemic. Campaigners for a safer sex trade have said that any ban on condoms would not stop people having sex but it would result in unprotected sex and higher rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted
infections. Update: Condoms survive but four parlours don't 25th October 2013. See article from scotsman.com Four Edinburgh saunas have been closed down by the council, but seven
others have been given permission to continue operating. Police Scotland failed to convince councillors that their reprehensible condition that no items of a sexual nature should be allowed on the premises should be imposed. The only
additional conditions imposed, after being requested by police, were an alcohol ban and requirement that the sauna be in good working order. There were 13 sauna applications to be heard yesterday, five in public and eight in private. Licences were
approved for Carol's Sauna, London Street Sauna, Ambassador Sauna, No Eighteen, Steamworks, Scorpio and New Town Sauna. Speaking after the meeting, convener of the licensing sub- committee, Councillor Gavin Barrie, said:
The committee has carefully reviewed all the information presented, including information from any objectors and reports from Police Scotland. Each application was considered on its individual merits and of the 13 public entertainment
licences considered today, seven have been renewed. Among the saunas that had their licence applications rejected last night were Blair Street, New Gentle Touch, Paradise and Dundas Street, though the decisions could be appealed. Two
other decisions were deferred.
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Edinburgh sauna raids destabilise market, endangering sex workers and customers
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| 5th October 2013
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| See article from scotsman.com
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A highly-publicised police raid on prostitution resulted in sauna bosses retaliating by drawing up a list of high-profile public figures who have used their services. Fear of ending up on the list has resulted in many regular customers to refuse to
use the saunas in favour of offsite liaisons in cars, hotel rooms and flats. Some sauna sex workers are charging inflated prices for the unsafe locations and ither girls have gone completely off radar . Critics of the crackdown say the
spread of the sex industry outside saunas poses a serious risk to public health as well as the safety of girls and their clients. Sauna bosses reprehensibly drew up a 50-strong list of police officers, lawyers and council officials who have used
their services. They plan to use the list in court to lay bare what they claim is hypocrisy on the part of officials. One sex worker said the list was hated by the girls and their clients. She said: Girls are
now getting calls from customers asking them to go to them instead of the client coming into the sauna because they're scared of ending up on the list. As soon as the girls leaves the premises for a job, her safety is compromised
greatly and now, because some of the girls are getting desperate, they're doing jobs that really aren't safe. They have no security driver, they have no mobile contact with anyone to let them know where they are. It's really incredibly dangerous.
But because business has slowed down so much since the raids and then even more since the list was drafted, girls are having to do these jobs to get by.
Several individuals said to be linked to six saunas have been
charged with offences including brothel keeping and living off immoral earnings. |
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MSP complains about heavy handed police raid on Edinburgh massage parlours
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| 1st
August 2013
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| See article from
edinburghnews.scotsman.com
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Sex workers were strip searched and intimidated by police during raids on Edinburgh's saunas. Independent MSP Margo MacDonald said around six sex workers had made complainst of heavy-handed policing and claimed officers breached procedure by failing to
issue receipts for confiscated items. More than 150 officers pounced on seven saunas and 11 related premises in a major operation against Edinburgh's licensed sex industry last month. The veteran politician, a vocal advocate of Edinburgh's
liberal stance to sex work, has now sought an explanation from Chief Superintendant Mark Williams, head of Edinburgh City Division, amid plans to meet city leader Councillor Andrew Burns to determine whether the special status afforded to Capital saunas
will be upheld under a single police force. In a letter to the Chief Superintendent Williams, Ms MacDonald asked: Why, for example, was it considered necessary to strip search some women, but not all? Also, why was
there an absence of the usual practice of issuing receipts for any confiscated articles? I would welcome and expect an effective inspection template to be constructed from lessons gained from these recent inspections, and the
decades of experience in Edinburgh. A Scot-Pep spokeswoman said the charity was extremely concerned for the welfare of sauna workers who are increasingly frightened of potential violations of their rights at the hands of police
officers. This approach does nothing to enhance the safety and protection of worker's rights, but instead drives a wedge of fear and distrust between workers and services.
Sex worker charity Scot-Pep has
supported Ms MacDonald's claims and said sauna workers had experienced extremely degrading treatment during the police raids.
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Police raid Edinburgh massage parlours
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| 9th June
2013
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| 8th June 2013. See article
from heraldscotland.com |
Edinburgh massage parlours have been raided by police. 150 police plus social workers took part in the raid on 7 saunas and 11 associated addresses. Police said 30 women of various nationalities were interviewed in relation to prostitution and
officers are pursuing inquiries relating to several serious sexual offences. But in a statement, police said that arrests so far were related to drugs: Three people in locations in Edinburgh and Fife have been charged
with drugs offences, including supply and cultivation, and it is estimated that assets worth in excess of £ 500,000 have been seized. Large amounts of cash, electronic equipment and documentation relating to
business matters have been recovered.
Edinburgh Council said it would act under licensing legislation if criminality were found after the investigations following the raids. Update: Police criticised
9th June 2013. See article from scotsman.com
A large-scale police raid on Edinburgh's brothels has been criticised by a campaign group that offers support to sex workers. Scot-Pep, the charity set up to protect the health of prostitutes, said: Scot-Pep are very
concerned about reports we received from women involved in the raids and question the assertion that this is about keeping people safe. Is it safe to instil fear amongst sex workers of police and social services? We remain
extremely concerned as to whether this is a taste of things to come in light of the attempt to introduce a bill to criminalise the purchase of sex. We advise all sex workers to take extra precautions at this time.
Margo MacDonald, the
independent Edinburgh MSP who tried to get a bill through Holyrood to keep Edinburgh's prostitution tolerance zones, said: If this is a portent of a future change of direction for the management of prostitution, then
we can only hope that it does not sweep aside decades of greater success achieved by Lothian and Borders and Grampian police in dealing with prostitution.
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Moral crusaders appeal against Edinburgh's pragmatic licensing of massage parlours
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28th April 2013
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| See
article from
heraldscotland.com
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Edinburgh's sex industry is facing a double threat to its future after it emerged legal and political moves are under way which could spell the end of the capital's licensed saunas. A legal appeal against the city council's decision to renew a
sauna license will be heard next month. Anti-sex work activists hope to use this as a test case to mount a wider assault on sex work. While massage parlours are to be found in most major cities in the UK Edinburgh is noted for both the number of
massage parlours and their high visibility. Defenders of the Edinburgh approach explain the status quo keeps female sex workers safe and lets the sex industry be managed in a pragmatic way. In the past the sauna operators have had few problems
with the committee, but Mike Anthony, a moral crusader liaising with Edinburgh-based Zero Tolerance activist group, which claims that sex work is a cause of violence against women, objected to the applications en masse, triggering an evidence session in
the city chambers. However the objects were dismissed. Anthony said : I am not a moral crusader....[BUT]...What I am steadfastly against is any public authority colluding with organised criminals.
In another development, Labour, which runs the council in coalition with the SNP, appears to be preparing the ground for taking a tougher line on the issue. A new internal working group in Edinburgh is reviewing the party's position on
the license issue.
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Edinburgh council renews massage parlour licences after objector fails to make a good case
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| 10th November
2012
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| See
article from
scotsman.com
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Saunas across Edinburgh were business as usual after winning the first major challenge to their trade for more than 15 years. Licences are usually renewed every three years but 12 of the 15 premises were hauled before the committee because the
challenge issued was the same across the board. Establishments throughout the city were granted renewed licences after the objector failed to make a good case. Main objector Mike Anthony had claimed that saunas and massage parlours are
actually illegal brothels and that the authorities turn a blind eye to the sex trade. He even claimed councillors on the committee would be allowing a crime to take place should they approve the licences. He told a packed committee room at the City
Chambers: I accept most of the councillors on this committee are new but councillors have been colluding with brothel keepers to this day. The council and police have reason to believe they are brothels and therefore
operating as criminal enterprises.
However, after taking legal advice members of the committee, led by SNP councillor and retired firefighter Gavin Barrie, rejected the claims after the first hearing. He said Anthony had failed to
supply any first-hand evidence. Barrie said: The committee is not convinced there is sufficient evidence not to renew the licences. There is no evidence here, you just gave us a few websites to look at.
Prior to the decision lawyer Alistair Macdonald, representing Iain and Charles Haig, owners of Scorpio Leisure on Albion Road, suggested the objections against his client were of a personal nature and not concerning the way the business
is run. He added: I would suggest this objection is vexatious and not in bona fide good faith. You have heard there are no objections from the police.
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Edinburgh's licensed massage parlours up for license renewal. But this time the councillors will have to argue their case in the public gaze
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4th November 2012
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| See
article from
scotsman.com
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It is an element of Edinburgh life that is hidden in plain sight. For years the city's sex industry has operated alongside businesses and homes in some of the wealthiest neighbourhoods without many being aware of its existence. Edinburgh's
licensed saunas, a discreet front for prostitution, are widely regarded as a pragmatic way of managing the sex industry. They sit side-by-side with shops and houses with little to suggest to passers-by that they are anything other than a convenient venue
to enjoy a relaxing back massage. Edinburgh's system is among the most liberal in the UK. Supporters of the system say it has kept many women off the streets and provided a safe environment for those engaged in sex work. But this week 13 of
the city's 15 saunas face a turning point. Their licences, which fall into the public entertainment category, are up for renewal on Wednesday and two objections have been lodged. One long-time critic, Michael Anthony, has written to members of
Edinburgh City Council's licensing sub-committee, pointing out that it is a criminal offence to operate a brothel. It is well established that Edinburgh saunas are brothels, he wrote. It is a criminal offence to
operate a brothel. Anyone assisting committing of crime also commits an offence. Accordingly, councillors cannot grant entertainment licenses, or any other permission to operate a brothel.
For now, the future of Edinburgh's unique
method of handling prostitution hangs in the balance. The closure of all or some of the saunas would change the face of the sex industry. Councillor Joanna Mowat, a former committee member, said: We don't look too
closely at what goes on in properties that are licensed for massage. But we may be pushed to change if Mr Anthony has evidence.
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27th August
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Edinburgh's Civic Trust suggest tolerance zone
| Based on
article from thescotsman.scotsman.com
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A high profile organisation has called for a prostitution tolerance zone to be introduced. The Cockburn Association, Edinburgh's Civic Trust, has raised eyebrows after requesting the introduction of such an area in Leith.
The historic group, more
commonly known for its frequent opposition to modern development, said a tolerance zone around Salamander Street would demonstrate an enlightened approach.
The suggestion was included in a response sent to city councillors about plans for
a massive redevelopment of Leith Docks – due to be discussed next week.
Alongside concerns about the proposed layout of buildings and whether there will be enough green space, cases committee officer Yvonne Holton wrote: The area around
Salamander Street has, in the recent past, been the subject of a great deal of debate on the issue of prostitution.
Surely there is an opportunity here for the city to revisit this issue with consideration given to the creation of a tolerance
zone. This would demonstrate an enlightened approach and would address important issues before they inevitably arise.
Edinburgh operated an unofficial tolerance zone in the Coburg Street area of Leith for 20 years until 2001, when changes in
the neighbourhood prompted complaints from residents. An attempt to shift this to Salamander Street led to further protests and the scheme was abandoned.
Supporters of tolerance zones argue they offer increased safety for women and allow medical
and advice services to be provided.
Last month, police said they had seen a sharp fall in the number of calls about prostitutes operating in and around Salamander Street and Leith Links. It is thought the drop is the result of an increased police
presence and a crackdown on kerb crawlers. New prostitution laws do not give councils the power to establish tolerance zones
Jim Hunter, the council's community protection manager, said: From a legal and enforcement perspective, (a tolerance
zone] is not possible. There's also a community safety partnership approach we have adopted to encourage routes out of prostitution.
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