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The Harm caused through Prostitution Issues such as domestic abuse have received much attention over the past 5 years. Prostitution however is rarely recognized as violence against women and the Women’s Support Project is committed to raising awareness of the root causes of prostitution, and experiences of women involved. We believe that prostitution and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation are part of the spectrum of men’s violence against women and children, which includes incest, rape, sexual harassment and domestic violence. Women become involved in prostitution for a variety of reasons. The Routes Out of Prostitution Social Inclusion Partnership reported in 2003 that the top five issues for women attending their team were; drug misuse, homelessness/housing, child sexual abuse, mental health, trauma, sexual violence in prostitution. These factors, which serve to force women into prostitution, should not be mistaken with the cause of prostitution. The Women’s Support Project agrees with Rhode Island University’s Professor Donna Hughes that men’s demand for buying sexual services is the cause of prostitution. The commercial sexual exploitation of women who experience poverty, violence/abuse and addiction should not be accepted as “legitimate” work for women. Please click here to view our document, "Prostitution: Fact or Fiction?" which explores some of the common myths about prostitution. Commercial sexual exploitation includes; * Stripping * Pole dancing * Lap dancing * Peep shows * Massage/saunas/brothels * Escort agencies * Prostitution * Phone sex * Internet sex/chat rooms * Pornography * Trafficking * Mail order brides * Sex tourism All of these activities commodify women and girls and markets their bodies for whatever acts men have sexualized and want to buy. Melissa Farley of ‘Prostitution Research and Education’ found that women in prostitution scored higher levels for post traumatic stress than did Vietnam veterans. Recently the Women’s Support project, alongside Rape Crisis Scotland, has launched the Scottish Coalition Against Sexual Exploitation to raise awareness and increase discussion on the issue of commercial sexual exploitation. The Women’s Support Project works closely with Routes Out of Prostitution to raise awareness of women’s experiences and to challenge popular myths. In 2003 the Routes Out of Prostitution Network was created. Workers from a variety of organisations can join the Network to access information, bulletins and free training. Links http://www.prostitutionrecovery.org A website to help people escape the life of prostitution, survive, and recover from its long-term effects, and to provide education about the effects of prostitution on those used in it, and its effects on the larger community. http://prostitutionresearch.com/ This site offers information and research on women abused through prostitution http://www.ecpat.org.uk/ Website of End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and the Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes. http://www.nostatusquo.com/ACLU/dworkin/ Andrea Dworkin’s website with a selection of her writing. Relevant Services Barnardos Streetwork Team 3rd floor, 91 Mitchell Street, Glasgow, G1 3LN Tel: 0800 085 2704 email: streetwork.team@barnardos.org.uk Base 75 75 Roberston Street, Glasgow, G2 8QD Tel: 0141 204 3712 Routes Out of Prostitution Intervention Team 73 John Street, Glasgow, G1 Tel: 0141 287 5769 Say Women 3rd Floor, 30 Bell Street, Glasgow, G1 1LG Tel: 0141 552 5803 email: say-women@globalinternet.co.uk Rape Crisis Centre PO Box 53, Glasgow, G2 1WE Tel: 0141 552 3200 email: glasgowrcc@aol.com[COLOR=purple][SIZE=14][FONT=Impact][FONT=Impact][B][/B][B][COLOR=purple][B] |
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