Recently Washington-based think tank The Pew Research Center revealed the results of their 2013 Global Attitudes survey. They asked 40,117 respondents in 40 countries what they thought about eight topics frequently discussed as moral issues: extramarital affairs, gambling, homosexuality, abortion, premarital sex, alcohol consumption, divorce, and the use of contraceptives. Respondents were asked whether this is morally acceptable, morally unacceptable, or not a moral issue. The findings are not totally surprising. As the Center stated: "African and predominantly Muslim countries tend to find most of these activities morally unacceptable, while in advanced economies, such as those in Western Europe, Japan, and North America, people tend to be more accepting or to not consider these moral issues at all."
That's not the reason I am flagging this survey. Interesting though it is to know what the different corners of the globe think of sexual morals, alcohol and gambling. With the focus mainly being on sex and relationships it struck me as absurd that sex work did not feature in these eight topics. It can't be denied that legislation and sex work are hot topics (together, not separately, legislation doesn't usually get many people going unless they're really paying attention) and hot topics not just in the UK but globally, so it seems peculiar not to have at least one question on sex work, no?
It smacks of disregard for sex workers. As former Tory MP Caroline Spelman joins the throng calling for the UK to consider adopting what is called the Nordic model, in which selling sexual services is legal but buying sexual services is illegal, we see once again sex workers being disregarded.
It smacks of disregard for sex workers. As former Tory MP Caroline Spelman joins the throng calling for the UK to consider adopting what is called the Nordic model, in which selling sexual services is legal but buying sexual services is illegal, we see once again sex workers being disregarded.
| Spelman told the Guardian that: "I think the Nordic law is the right direction, but we need cross-party support for it. It's very important men come out and say what they think as well because it's very emotive." | we must stop this image of all sex workers being young, cis white women (possibly with a drug problem) and acknowledge male and trans sex workers. |
Oh what, male sex workers? Oh yes, definitely, we must stop this automatic image of all sex workers being young, cis white women (possibly with a drug problem) and acknowledge male and trans sex workers. But no, no this is not what Spelman means. Just, y'know, what do the men think, yo? That's what Spelman means. Totes verbatim.
But while we wait for The (non sex worker) Men to comment Cari Mitchell of the English Collective of Prostitutes commented that: "We are appalled that at a time when benefit cuts and sanctions, lowering wages,increased homelessness and debt are forcing more women, particularly mothers, into prostitution, the best that MPs can come up with is to increase criminalisation".
The 'never fear! We will save you!' attitude that the Nordic model takes on is unfortunately while noble is also unhelpful and dangerous. Safe arrangements made by sex workers for sex workers will have to be discarded as sex work will be driven underground - more so.
This is why we need to know global attitudes towards sex work but also we need to speak to sex workers, we need sex workers of all types to inform us - not men, even if they are potential/regular clients. As Melissa Gira Grant writes in her book Playing the Whore: "sex work has made strides toward recognition and popular representations that defy stereotypes, prostitutes, both real and imaginary, still remain the object of social control. This is how sex workers are still understood: as curiosities, maybe, but as the legitimate target of law enforcement crackdowns and charitable concerns - at times simultaneously. And so this is where the prostitute is still most likely to be found today, where those who seek to "rescue" her locate her: at the moment of her arrest."
Addressing whore stigma, sex worker stereotypes and working with them is what will make sex workers safe.
Squeamish Kate
But while we wait for The (non sex worker) Men to comment Cari Mitchell of the English Collective of Prostitutes commented that: "We are appalled that at a time when benefit cuts and sanctions, lowering wages,increased homelessness and debt are forcing more women, particularly mothers, into prostitution, the best that MPs can come up with is to increase criminalisation".
The 'never fear! We will save you!' attitude that the Nordic model takes on is unfortunately while noble is also unhelpful and dangerous. Safe arrangements made by sex workers for sex workers will have to be discarded as sex work will be driven underground - more so.
This is why we need to know global attitudes towards sex work but also we need to speak to sex workers, we need sex workers of all types to inform us - not men, even if they are potential/regular clients. As Melissa Gira Grant writes in her book Playing the Whore: "sex work has made strides toward recognition and popular representations that defy stereotypes, prostitutes, both real and imaginary, still remain the object of social control. This is how sex workers are still understood: as curiosities, maybe, but as the legitimate target of law enforcement crackdowns and charitable concerns - at times simultaneously. And so this is where the prostitute is still most likely to be found today, where those who seek to "rescue" her locate her: at the moment of her arrest."
Addressing whore stigma, sex worker stereotypes and working with them is what will make sex workers safe.
Squeamish Kate
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