[WiLT] Fw: call for evidence

[WiL Admin]

Apologies for cross-posting. (via Rape Crisis Scotland)

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From: jan macleod womenssupportproject
Subject: call for evidence

Could you please circulate this information as widely as possible and
include on your website if possible.  This is a really important
opportunity to challenge the demand from men to buy sex in prostitution.
See below for details.

The Justice Committee at the Scottish Parliament is currently
considering amendments to the Criminal Justice and Licensing BIll.  They
have issued a call for evidence in relation to the amendment submitted
by Trish Godman. This proposes criminalising bbuying sex, in any
setting, and will also criminalise activities which facilitate
prostitution, such as providing transport and accommodation.

The closing date for written submissions is Wednesday 17 March (to
enable all submissions to be circulated in advance of the 23 March
meeting).  See here for details
www.scottish.parliament.uk/S3/committees/justice/inquiries/criminaljusti
ceandlicensing/Stage2CallforEvidence.htm

Submissions should not normally exceed four sides of A4.  The Committee
prefers to receive written submissions electronically in MS Word format.
These should be sent to:

cjlb at scottish.parliament.uk
justice.committee at scottish.parliament.uk

You may also make hard copy written submissions to:

Justice Committee
Room T3.60
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

The Women`s Support Project believes that prostitution is inherently
harmful:

Although women in prostitution are agreeing to sexual activity, this is
unwanted sex.  In order to repeatedly endure this unwanted sex women
have to dissociate, and many use alcohol or drugs to do so.  This is the
case irrespective of whether theprostitution happens on the street, in a
brothel, or in a fancy hotel.

The vast majjority of women in prostution have suffered childhood
neglect, violence and abuse.  Most are poor and many are homeless and
drug addicted.  The vast majority of women come out of prostitution as
poor as when they went in.

Prostitution undermines gender equality.  Why should we be prepared to
accept that women who are poor, vulnerable and homeless should be "made
available" for sexual exploitation.

Most men do not buy sex - studies have shown that somewhere between 10
and 15% of men in the UK have done so.

A significant number of men who buy sex later regret it.  25% of men
interviewed in Scotland said that they felt "significant shame and
regret" at having bought sex. See
www.womenssupportproject.co.uk/content/publications/183,182,216/Challeng
ingMensDemandforProstitutioninScotland2008.html

What we need is a change in attitude, so that buying sex is seen as
unacceptable.  New legislation is needed to send out this message, and
so reduce the long term demand.

This leaflet outlines some of the main `facts and fictions` around
prostitution.
www.womenssupportproject.co.uk/content/publications/183,182,220/ProstitutionFact
orFiction2008.html

Jan Macleod
Senior Development Officer
Women's Support Project
31 Stockwell Street
Glasgow
Scotland
G1 4RZ

Tel: 0141 552 2221
Fax: 0141 552 1876
janwsproject at btconnect.com

Check out our new website  http://www.womenssupportproject.co.uk/ and follow us
on facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Womens-Support-Project/117243951779?v=wall&ref=search

WORKING AGAINST VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

The Women's Support Project is a limited company, registered in Scotland
(Registration Number SC323918, Registered Office, 31 Stockwell Street,
Glasgow, G1 4RZ) and is recognised as a Scottish charity (SCO21846)