Woman's Hour

[Empirical]

The BBC radio programme Woman's Hour has had discussions about prostitution this week. Yesterday the antis made their case; today (Tuesday) is was the turn of the workers to present theirs.

You might be able to catch up on the beeb's iPlayer.

One of today's contributors was a worker from Glasgow called 'Molly'. She not Scottish from her accent, but I thought she spoke very well. Anyone know who she is? Does she ever come here?

[Davidontour]

I haven't heard this yet, but it's very welcome that Woman's Hour are allowing both sides of the argument a fair hearing. Some people in Ireland might like to take note....

[Davidontour]

Thanks Empirical. I just had a listen on the iplayer. Very very refreshing to hear the views of sex workers being put so articulately and given a fair hearing. I particularly appreciated the presenter's (Jane Garvey) comments at the end when she stated how complex the subject is.

You were right Empirical -- Molly in particular spoke extremely well and made some very good points. The woman on the phone from Sweden was very forthright and sensible too. I found the whole thing very encouraging. They are asking for further contributors, including men who purchase sex, so hopefully they will be equally articulate.

You can listen to today's programme here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03xdmzg

[the traveller]

Talks to clients today (17/3) at 10am.

[Empirical]

Woman's Hour today (17 March) should be on iPlayer soon.

Three chaps talking about their experiences, and the "why". All seemed sensible.

But; Jane Garvey was really hung up on "trafficking" and her questioning was one-sided.

Perhaps someone could let her know the difference between "trafficking" as its legally defined in the UK, and being a "coerced chattel slave". The two aren't the same.

Oh, and the noise in the background was that of pearl clutching.

[the traveller]

Tomorrow (18/3) talks to politicians both sides of the debate.

I think the trafficking thing is because of the way in which the anti's have so inflated the problem and that anyone that has not been involved with sex work believes in what they are told. Whereas all here and anyone who has been involved knows that the sex slave is a very rare thing.

[Davidontour]

Looking at the subject from the abolitionist viewpoint, they really don't have a lot of ammunition to use against sex work.

Street workers barely exist these days -- most of the work is invisible to the public, so it can't even be described as a nuisance. The argument of STDs is largely irrelevant as the overwhelming majority insist on condoms. The morality argument is archaic in a world of casual sex and oceans of online porn. There is no religious case to speak of, particularly as the historical Christ counted Mary Magdalene amongst his friends. The feminist argument is a double edged sword and certainly doesn't appeal to everyone.

So the abolitionists are left with two powerful, but ultimately very shaky weapons -- the trafficking issue and the lack of public knowledge/interest in the subject of sex work.

Trafficking IS an issue, but a much smaller one than say, the role of third world slavery in every clothing outlet in the West. But it's an emotive subject in the public mind.

Listening to the PSNI on the issue a few weeks ago in Stormont, they clearly feel that it is a small part of the subject and that no further legislation, other than a longer period for charging suspects, is required. That attitude angered the abolitionists, who seek to use the trafficking issue as a weapon to destroy an industry conflicting with their own moral standards.

Armed with the facts, an effective lobby for sex workers could easily demolish abolitionist arguments. As someone famous once said; ''The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.''

[Laura Lee]

It's Jean Urquhart and Fiona McTaggart tomorrow.

Jean is independent (ex SNP) and supports decriminalisation and Fiona is staunchly anti and has been known to
come out with some HOWLERS. It should be quite feisty.