Prostitution Consultation Update

[Morpheus]

I think numbers count Eileen - so I will definitely be making a submission. I think the more of us that do it the better, given that we are up against well funded governmental agencies and NGOs. And you can be sure there will be no end of submissions from them.

The bit about giving one's name, address and phone number - has put my nose out of joint a bit! But I plan to be "creative" in that regard.

As regarding the submission itself, I won't be writing a thesis and plan to keep it simple. The consultation document has more than enough info. I will just outline parts of the document I support.

The main tenants of my submission:
1) will be to oppose any further criminalization for any escorting related acitivity,

2)and suggestions to decriminalize certain aspects - eg. advertising, definition of brothels, etc



There is a list of questions in the consultation document and I plan to pick out the ones I feel are important and answer them accordingly.

Now to get all that down before the deadline in August!

[Morpheus]

P.S.for those who haven't checked out the above link;


Submission deadline is Friday 11th of August 2012 at 5pm.

[LaBelleThatcher]

P.S.for those who haven't checked out the above link;


Submission deadline is Friday 11th of August 2012 at 5pm.

Needs repeating, possibly every hour on the hour...

[Half Man and Half Dildo]

“The Sexual Offences Act 1993 undoubtedly needs to be updated to take account of an ever more globalised and connected world. Any future legislation will need to reflect enhancements to communications technology, including internet and mobile devices, as well as increased mobility across borders.”

Seems like they have their minds made up already.....

And it's no suprise to see Ivana Bacik, Ronan Mullen and Katherine Zappone are on the commitee, too.

[Banjaxed]

Seems like they have their minds made up already.....

And it's no suprise to see Ivana Bacik, Ronan Mullen and Katherine Zappone are on the commitee, too.

Indeed, those were the first two worrying details I noticed. Hardly going to be a balanced view or objective discussion of the submissions considering the behaviour of some of those particular Senator's previously on the issues.

[Morpheus]

Seems like they have their minds made up already.....

And it's no suprise to see Ivana Bacik, Ronan Mullen and Katherine Zappone are on the commitee, too.

Indeed, those were the first two worrying details I noticed. Hardly going to be a balanced view or objective discussion of the submissions considering the behaviour of some of those particular Senator's previously on the issues.

However, the actual consultation document (which was compiled by the Dept of Justice) is very balanced and I think actually gives more info to build a case for less legislation. We have to live in hope inspite of those on the panel.

[Half Man and Half Dildo]

However, the actual consultation document (which was compiled by the Dept of Justice) is very balanced and I think actually gives more info to build a case for less legislation. We have to live in hope inspite of those on the panel.

Fingers crossed.

[Morpheus]

Following on from my previous post, I do think as many of us clients writing in would be helpful. Obviously not saying we are clients, and not necessarily giving our identities away. (I mentioned "creativity" in my last post regarding identity. I am going to sign mine - Bill Clinton!!! Not!)

It's a pity this section of the forum is like the graveyard slot!! Minimal traffic! I think a few posts in general chat to remind people would be good. And more importantly to raise awareness that the Swedish model isn't a done deal!! I had honestly been under the impression that it was just a matter of time until I read the consultation document which is extremely well researched and balanced.

I do hope some of the ladies get together and make a summission as part of a group/consortium.I'm quite sure you wouldn't have to divulge your names etc.. I presume you'd need a commisioner for oaths or equivalent to verify that the signatures on the submission belong to real people (similar to what activists for political prisoners do when collecting signatures). Brock or Banjaxed may be able to cast more light on this from a legal point of view.

I do think a submission from a group of escorts would carry far more weight than indivdual submissions from client posters. Afterall the whole basis of the Swedish model and the dogma of Ruhama/Immigant council - is that no woman in her right mind can work as an escort willingly!! You have to tell them otherwise. That on it's own implies that any change to the law that affects your ability to earn a living (such as criminalising your clients), is a violation of your human rights!

[LaBelleThatcher]

Morpheus,

I think lots more people read than post on this forum.

1. Because it is perceived as terminally "uncool"
2. Because there is the possibility of kindergarten level harassment on other forums if they say anything people do not like.

...and the second point is not a "countersnipe" it is very, VERY important, because we have a really good chance of winning this *IF* we can all manage to remember which side we are on and row in the same direction to the best of our ability.

Talking to committee secretary today, he certainly wasn't horrified in any way by the idea of clients making submissions, it is only logical.

Not keen on that committee but they do not get to make the decisions. I suspect the very last thing they expect is for anyone from the sex industry to make submissions at all, let alone have to look them in the eye and then go back to dehumanising us and usurping our adulthood and autonomy.

Whatever else, there is no excuse for that. In the Senate they talked about us as if we were children or livestock, let them try and do that again *after* they have met some of us.

I haven't go a clue how I shall do it but I intend to make submission on the scale of an NGO...I need to do this for myself, but also because, like it or not *I AM* Irish sex worker self advocacy...and whoever rises up in the morning (and I hope to feck a few people are going to) cannot backdate that to 1993.

[LaBelleThatcher]

I do hope some of the ladies get together and make a summission as part of a group/consortium.I'm quite sure you wouldn't have to divulge your names etc.. I presume you'd need a commisioner for oaths or equivalent to verify that the signatures on the submission belong to real people (similar to what activists for political prisoners do when collecting signatures). Brock or Banjaxed may be able to cast more light on this from a legal point of view.

I think that would work...no reason whay a solicitor should not submit on behalf of and anonymous client either.

I do think a submission from a group of escorts would carry far more weight than indivdual submissions from client posters. Afterall the whole basis of the Swedish model and the dogma of Ruhama/Immigant council - is that no woman in her right mind can work as an escort willingly!! You have to tell them otherwise. That on it's own implies that any change to the law that affects your ability to earn a living (such as criminalising your clients), is a violation of your human rights!

I can't say how vitally important this is. It's not about pleasing me, or pleasing Pat, it is about your own futures, and if you do not show you care, how will anyone else?