Unless you’ve had your head in a microwave for the past number of years, you may have noticed that the world’s leading health authorities have come out in favour of decriminalisation of sex work. There’s a good reason for that, it’s because harm reduction has been shown to be hugely effective in the control and reduction of instances of HIV. A pretty compelling reason, I’d say. In a recently released report entitled “Ten Reasons to Decriminalize Sex Work”, we’re told that “decriminalisation of sex workers could lead to 46% decline in new HIV infections over next decade”. That’s powerful. Continue reading Harm Reduction and HIV Ireland – Laura Lee
Category Archives: Escort Articles
NI – A time for change
With the DUP once again sliding into a comfortable majority and the law to further criminalise sex work due on June 1st, there has never been a more pertinent time to look at sex workers’ rights in Northern Ireland. Continue reading NI – A time for change
Why Criminalising Prostitution is Short Sighted
When in 1999 the Swedish government decided to criminalise the buying of sex for men, the international community looked on with a mixture of disbelief and amusement. Now sixteen years later, the question of criminalising prostitution has crept onto the shores of the UK, circulating once again the debate about whether paying for sex can ever be truly regulated. Continue reading Why Criminalising Prostitution is Short Sighted
Guy Who Threaten To Rape Escort Spared Jail
A father of three who tried to rob and threatened to rape an escort because he needed cash for Christmas, has been given a suspended sentence. Continue reading Guy Who Threaten To Rape Escort Spared Jail
Laura Lee Blog – Fishnet, A Book Review
Being inherently lazy, it’s seldom I feel compelled to write, well … anything really. Let alone a book review. But Fishnet, the debut novel of Kirstin Innes caused removal of The Cat from my keyboard at just slightly excessive speed. Continue reading Laura Lee Blog – Fishnet, A Book Review
The Laura Lee Blog | Au Revoir!
Sometimes, in my line of work as in many others, rude clients float to the surface. I should say that the most awful clients I ever experienced were in banking, because when you’re dealing with people and money, greed comes before all else. Suddenly the bank charges they incurred were my fault, personally. Like I took their money and spent it on caviar. Or call girls. Allegedly. Continue reading The Laura Lee Blog | Au Revoir!
Laura Lee Blog | Funding With a Capital F
Those of you who follow me on Twitter or have met me even once will know my favourite bug bear when it comes to sex workers’ “rescue” organisations is funding. Thousands upon thousands of pounds/Euros are poured into these organisations to “raise awareness”. It really annoys me, when you have women in Dublin in direct provision on nineteen Euros a week selling sex as a survival strategy and NGO’s swanning around in BMW’s, loudly declaring their dedication to help those poor, fallen women. Continue reading Laura Lee Blog | Funding With a Capital F
Laura Lee Blog | Sex Workers – Know Your Rights!
With two cases of prosecuting women working together for safety going through the courts and the continued “welfare visits” under Operation Lingle, it has never been more important to know your rights as a sex worker in Scotland. These rights apply to both native sex workers and those who tour Scotland, too. In conjunction with SCOT-PEP and National Ugly Mugs, here are your rights. Continue reading Laura Lee Blog | Sex Workers – Know Your Rights!
A Laura Lee Speech to the UKNSWP Conference on Criminalisation
On Monday 2nd of March, I was invited to speak at the UKNSWP conference in Manchester. Although I was honoured to be asked, to put it bluntly, I was planking it. I felt out of my comfort zone in that I had hoped there would be some antis to shout at, but it wasn’t that kind of event. The atmosphere was wonderful, one of warm support and a feeling that the whole room was working towards a safer environment for sex workers. I met some amazing police and networked my heart out, making lots of new friends and allies. So, here’s my speech. I did ad lib at certain points so it may not be spot on, but I’ll try and recall as best I can. Continue reading A Laura Lee Speech to the UKNSWP Conference on Criminalisation
The Laura Lee Blog – I Paid A Man (And I Liked It)
See, here’s the thing. Aged 21, I was Dublin’s top call girl, head hunted by agencies and busier than an abolitionist with an off shore account. There was only one downside to that, I was shit. As is typical of many twenty somethings, I hadn’t a clue about good sex, but then anyone hiring a 21 year old is hardly expecting The Congress of the Crow. At forty, if you look back to sex you had at twenty as being the best you’ve ever had, it’s time to panic. And paint a large neon ‘Exit’ sign over the front door by way of subtle hint for your partner. Continue reading The Laura Lee Blog – I Paid A Man (And I Liked It)