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Campaigning: Lisa Longstaff of Women Against Rape joins the protest in Parliament Square on Tuesday against the policing and crime bill |
Call to ‘criminalise bankers not sex workers’
PROSTITUTES from Soho descended on Parliament Square on Tuesday to object against the government’s policing and crime bill, which they say will force them to work in dangerous conditions on the street.
Dozens of male and female prostitutes were joined by campaigners from across the capital carrying racy red umbrellas and placards proclaiming “Criminalise bankers, not sex workers”.
They claim that if passed, changes to the law would close premises like the walk-up flats in Soho where prostitutes work in relative safety.
Cari Mitchell, from the English Collective of Prostitues group said: “The women in Soho are proud that there has never been a murder of a prostitute. But the bill would give police additional power to put closure orders on premises where they suspect prostitution.
“They wouldn’t have to provide evidence of anti-social behaviour. That would put women back on the street and put them in more danger.”
Lisa Longstaff of Women Against Rape said: “Criminalising sex workers and their clients is not in the interests of women’s safety.”
The bill was introduced last year and has a much wider concern than just prostitution. Its principal aim is to increase police accountability and better engage local communities in fighting crime.
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