iPhone app iPad app Android phone app Android tablet app More

Sex Workers Protection Measures Unveiled By Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone

First Posted: 17/12/2011 10:13 GMT Updated: 17/12/2011 10:13 GMT   PA

A national pilot scheme to help protect sex workers from violent and abusive customers has been launched in the UK.

Sex workers in some parts of the country are already provided with pictures of so-called "ugly mugs" - men who have in the past been violent or threatening towards prostitutes.

Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone has now launched a 12-month trial to bring together the locally-run "ugly mugs" schemes under one national online network to gather and distribute information of abusive customers.

The launch coincides with International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.

"The Government's ambition is to end all forms of violence against women and girls," Ms Featherstone said.

"This includes protecting those involved in prostitution, who are particularly vulnerable to violent and sexual crimes."

The Home Office is providing £108,000 towards the scheme.

Assistant Commissioner Simon Byrne, the lead on prostitution for the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), said: "Acpo has been actively supportive of the UK Network of Sex Work Projects-led national 'Ugly Mugs' development project since its inception and welcomes the continued Home Office support for the roll-out of the scheme.

"This is a real opportunity to protect vulnerable people from violent sex attacks."

FOLLOW HUFFPOST UK POLITICS

Read more from Huffington Post bloggers:
Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone: Be Body Confident - Beauty Comes in all Shapes and Sizes

I will never forget seeing a very short but very powerful film featuring a young girl being assailed with hundreds of images of physical perfection. As she stands, overwhelmed by idealised bodies and perfectly constructed faces, the tag line appears on the screen: talk to your daughter before the beauty industry does.
Michelle Chen

Michelle Chen: Sex Workers (Try to) Enter the Human Rights Arena

How does the sale of the most intimate of human transactions fit with the regime of universal human rights?

Filed by Chris Wimpress  | 
 
 
  • Comments
  • 22
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Post Comment Preview Comment
To reply to a Comment: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to.
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
Page: 1 2  Next ›  Last »  (2 total)
earlsspg
61 Fans
12:22 AM on 12/19/2011
sorry that should have read 'should have'
Permalink  |
earlsspg
61 Fans
12:21 AM on 12/19/2011
All workers, whether prositutes or seamen have a violence free workplace.
Permalink  |
tippytumbles
0 Fans
03:01 PM on 12/18/2011
get the drug and hiv dirt off the streets
Permalink  |
chiefofcdf
30 Fans
12:58 PM on 12/18/2011
Do they pay any Tax on their earnings?
Permalink  |
collegeharry
7 Fans
12:47 PM on 12/18/2011
A point not often made is that many of the prostitutres' clients are also vulnerable.I would respectfully suggest that not many fulfilled males feel the need for mechanical sex relief in sordid conditions any more than the women who offer these services do.
Permalink  |
davm744
57 Fans
11:57 AM on 12/18/2011
50% of these women and girls are forced into this so that is abuse in itself , these criminals should be brought to justice and deported as most of them are eastern european gangs , i agree women need protection but the government should wipe out the criminals involved , one more thing if we protect these women they should be paying tax .........................
Permalink  |
foxtrotuk
1 Fans
09:12 AM on 12/18/2011
This is an encouraging step in the right direction in contrast to the damage done by the last Labour government, but what would be far more effective in improving sex workers' safety would be to decriminalise the whole environment within which sex workers in this country still have to operate. The last Labour government clearly didn't understand that point at all, and made matters worse by increasing the criminalisation of sex work.
Permalink  |
This comment has been removed.
Permalink  |Show replies(1)
bolden
19 Fans
10:52 PM on 12/17/2011
i think that they should legalise sex workers , like they do in holland and germany we are slowly moving that way with licenced sex shops on high streets like ann summers, i am suprised that the home office is funding this in these strigent times with 108 thousand pounds, that money would be better use to chase farm accident and emergency to keep it open
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Ppenguinator
Life's too imprtant to be taken seriously.
211 Fans
 
10:34 PM on 12/17/2011
In Amsterdam, Brothels are legal and regulated by the government, which makes the whole business safer for both parties, and stops criminals from forcing women into prostitution. I don't see why the same can't happen here.
Permalink  |
This comment has been removed.
Permalink  |Show replies(1)
photo
Alfred Sydney Cavill
8 Fans
08:24 PM on 12/17/2011
Make prostitution legal with official licensed brothels and that will do away with the criminal element plus raking in more in taxes and National Insurance. Then any criminal activity of that nature can be stamped out with very harsh penalties.
Permalink  |
rash8909
58 Fans
10:01 PM on 12/17/2011
Our politicians are little more than pimps, thugs and fraudsters so they do have the relevant qualifications to turn prostitution into a first class money earner.
Permalink  |
Makalha
Opinions are not facts.
110 Fans
10:52 PM on 12/17/2011
If they work from legal brothels and pay NI and tax their charges will reflect this ..... It might cut down the street girls but will not stop it .
Permalink  |
This comment has been removed.
Permalink  |Show replies(1)
photo
Prove It theres no test
45 Fans
06:22 PM on 12/17/2011
They should legalise brothels, those that go into the industry "eyes open", should pay private firms some of their takings that are vetted by the Police (Not Pimps) & have a strict rule of conduct for both client & sex worker.
The Police should ensure regular spot check visits to ensure those working are not being forced / drugged or sold into the industry from this & other countries.
Permalink  |
turkishdelight
34 Fans
06:19 PM on 12/17/2011
£108,000 sounds like a lot but to anyone who has run a society, group, club or business it is peanuts. A drop in the ocean. That will quickly disappear on costs and run out.
Permalink  |
 
Page: 1 2  Next ›  Last »  (2 total)