Justice Committee Hearings on 23rd

[satisfaction]

I know the whole thing is just a charade to railroad in the Swedish model.
But as a slight positive some of the committee members were very interested in Dr Freedman and Michael Quinlan's stance on things... and a little seed of doubt is powerful thing.
One of them said they felt that "they are only beginning to scratch the surface of this issue". Which is positive given the amount that TORL and Ruhama have done to make it a black-or-white decision. At least its being acknowledged as a much more complex issue.

Although none of them responded to Michael Quinlans question, why did you only look at Sweden, why not NZ, AUS and Canada also.

Do you think there is any chance of sex workers being allowed to speak at this?

[gamey27]

^ I think that they're always going to be able to justify sex worker exclusion, if sex workers don't appear there in official capacity i.e. a spokesperson for a group which represents a large group of sex workers.

If it's just one sex worker on his/her own, they'll just say "well, you're just speaking from your own experience". Even if it's 5/6 sex workers, they'll still be largely ignored, even if they get heard. To be fair, this is a reasonable argument.

The ECP in the UK has represented sex workers right alot in public debate. They're a robust organisation, cohesive and well recognised. Hopefully the SWCI will get going here. It will presumably be too late for this round of hearings but hopefully the future will be brigther.

IMO, the best that can be gotten from these debates is that a few more media appearances are made by escorts on the back of the current debate. It might not persuade members of the Oireachtas but it might change public perception.

[gamey27]

It's not an exact quote so I wouldn't post it to TOBL myself If you want to send it in, feel free!

thanks. have amended the image to include his name and sent him an email to ask if it's ok to distribute.

[samlad]

thanks. have amended the image to include his name and sent him an email to ask if it's ok to distribute.

LOL! Fair play, fella!

[LaBelleThatcher]

I know the whole thing is just a charade to railroad in the Swedish model.
But as a slight positive some of the committee members were very interested in Dr Freedman and Michael Quinlan's stance on things... and a little seed of doubt is powerful thing.
One of them said they felt that "they are only beginning to scratch the surface of this issue". Which is positive given the amount that TORL and Ruhama have done to make it a black-or-white decision. At least its being acknowledged as a much more complex issue.

Although none of them responded to Michael Quinlans question, why did you only look at Sweden, why not NZ, AUS and Canada also.

Do you think there is any chance of sex workers being allowed to speak at this?

Suddenly, today, they are acknowledging queries instead of ignoring them. There is a CHANCE.

[Rachel Divine]

^ I think that they're always going to be able to justify sex worker exclusion, if sex workers don't appear there in official capacity i.e. a spokesperson for a group which represents a large group of sex workers.

If it's just one sex worker on his/her own, they'll just say "well, you're just speaking from your own experience". Even if it's 5/6 sex workers, they'll still be largely ignored, even if they get heard. To be fair, this is a reasonable argument.

The ECP in the UK has represented sex workers right alot in public debate. They're a robust organisation, cohesive and well recognised. Hopefully the SWCI will get going here. It will presumably be too late for this round of hearings but hopefully the future will be brigther.

IMO, the best that can be gotten from these debates is that a few more media appearances are made by escorts on the back of the current debate. It might not persuade members of the Oireachtas but it might change public perception.

Thought SWAI are representing sex workers ..

[LaBelleThatcher]

Thought SWAI are representing sex workers ..

No, SWAI were just doing the same as Ruhama from the other side, pretending to represent sex workers while refusing to include or heed them. I would say SWAI are finished now.