Sunday June 19th 7 for 7.30pm
Daniel Hall, Long Garden Walk, Farnham, GU9 7HX
According to a recent study http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/feb/27/most-sex-workers-jobs-health-education-charities-survey more than 70% of UK sex workers have previously worked in healthcare, education or charities, while more than a third hold university degrees.The author of the Leeds University study, Dr Teela Sanders, recommends that “sex workers be allowed to work legally together. This is the main way they believe their safety will be enhanced. Societal attitudes need to change in order to minimise the stigma underpinning sex work and consequently reduce the harm that prejudice has on sex workers.”
It’s legal to buy and sell sex in the UK but illegal to solicit or work together as a pair or group in a flat. Sex workers suspected of soliciting can be slapped with a caution even if there’s not enough evidence to take the matter to court. Want to call foul? Tough there’s no right to appeal.
Cautions remain on your record making it impossible for the 70% of sex workers who previously worked in healthcare, education or charities to return to similar jobs and having a criminal record makes other jobs also difficult to achieve.
Since 1975, the English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP) 
http://prostitutescollective.net/ has been campaigning for decriminalisation and safety for sex workers. They help sex workers defend themselves against criminal charges and fight for housing, benefits, higher wages and other resources so that any of them can leave prostitution if and when they want.
Representatives from the ECP will outline their policy with respect to sex work, They will discuss public perceptions and how the media likes to portray sex workers, the relationship between sex workers and the police, and how proposed changes in the law might affect the profession – particularly with regard to personal safety.
Do come and join in the discussions whatever your beliefs.
Everyone is welcome!!
Tea, coffee and biscuits. Other drinks available from the Hop Blossom Pub close by. Admission donation £2 to help cover costs.
