Topic 7: STREET VICE AND THE CITY Flashcards
Around what percentage of street sex workers are women?
Around 90% of street sex workers are women
What is a more respectful term than “prostitution”?
Sex worker
Approximately how many sex workers are estimated to be in Britain?
Approximately 60,000 to 80,000 sex workers
What percentage of men in Britain have paid for sex at least once?
1 in 10 men in Britain have paid for sex on at least one occasion
Where do most victims of sex trafficking come from?
A majority of sex trafficking victims come from Europe, Central Asia, and North and South America
Is most sex trafficking international or domestic?
Domestic, not international
What is one of the most enduring justifications for sex work?
Sex work is a “response to male sexual needs”
Why is the claim that sex work is a “victimless crime” disputed?
It is disputed because sex workers often experience violence and life-threatening events as part of their profession
What percentage of street sex workers have experienced abuse or neglect in childhood?
Over 70% of street sex workers have experienced abuse or neglect in childhood
How much more vulnerable to homicide are street sex workers compared to other women?
Street sex workers are 12 to 18 times more vulnerable to homicide than other women
What is the main reason why people sell sex on the streets?
The main reason is to earn money, often for basic needs or to support substance use
What do liberal feminists and advocacy groups argue about sex work?
They argue that sex work is an intrinsically honorable profession that serves socially valuable ends, and that women have a right to choose what they do with their bodies
What do radical feminists argue about sex work?
- Women’s sexuality should not be commodified
- Sex work is not work but an option of last resort
- All forms of commercial sex are patriarchal and oppressive
What was the response of some communities to street sex work according to Pitcher et al. (2006)?
While some residents were not affected, others raised concerns about visibility, nuisance, and the impact on public space. Some supported “tolerance zones” for a safer working environment
What percentage of respondents in a Cardiff study agreed that “sex work will always take place”?
73.2% of respondents agreed with the statement that “sex work will always take place.”
What are some concerns expressed by residents about street sex work in Cardiff?
- Concerns included feeling intimidated
- The presence of sex workers being inappropriate for children
- The perception that sex workers are “lazy” or “disgusting”
What is the overarching approach to addressing street sex work mentioned?
Harm reduction
What are some harm reduction strategies mentioned?
Harm reduction strategies mentioned include outreach, providing support services, and trying to persuade women not to engage in street sex work
What did the 2002 Prostitution Act (Prostitutionsgesetz - ProstG) in Germany aim to do?
The act aimed to regulate the legal status of prostitution as a service to improve the legal and social experience of sex workers
What are some criticisms of the German approach?
- It has resulted in discrimination and stigmatisation
- Women engage in riskier behaviours for money
- Led to sex trafficking to meet demand
What is the “New Zealand Model” of decriminalization?
It decriminalized all forms of sex work since 2003, with a system of licensing, regulation, and guaranteed rights for sex workers
What are “managed zones” or “tolerance zones”?
Are designated areas away from residential streets where street sex work is permitted
What are some concerns raised about the managed zone in Holbeck, Leeds?
Concerns included condoms and needles on footpaths, potential trafficking, presence of pimps and drug dealers, and the impact on non-sex workers in the area
What is the aim of the Nordic/Abolitionist Model or “Sex Buyer Laws”?
To decrease demand for sex work by decriminalizing sellers (sex workers) but criminalizing buyers
What are some arguments in favor of the Nordic Model?
Some benefits:
- Reduction in street sex workers
- Changes in public attitudes towards women, and targeting those profiting from sex work rather than the workers themselves
What are some counter-arguments to the Nordic Model?
- Sex work may go underground increasing risks
- Potential increased violence against sex workers
- Removal of women’s ability to choose sex work
- Increased stigma
Who argued that the claim “prostitution is the oldest profession” is over-simplistic?
Roger Matthews argued that this claim is over-simplistic and that street prostitution is not actually that old
What percentage of street sex workers want to stop selling sex according to Matthews et al. (2014)?
The overwhelming majority of street sex workers want to stop selling sex, according to Matthews et al. (2014)
What are some common experiences of street sex workers?
- Life-threatening violence
- Regular abuse
- Substance addiction
- Contracting HIV or STDs
- Physical assaults like being stabbed, raped or beaten
What is one argument made by liberal feminists about what “counts” as intimate?
Liberal feminists argue that what “counts” as intimate should be at the discretion of women themselves
What is one radical feminist argument about the concept of “sex work”?
Radical feminists argue that using the term “sex work” obscures the realities of violence and exploitation for almost all women in the sex trade
What were some community responses to street sex work according to Pitcher et al. (2006)?
Responses ranged from sympathy and engaging with the women to actions to displace them from local streets
What are some examples of the negative impact of street sex work on local communities mentioned?
- Noise disturbance
- Public indecency
- Offensive litter like used condoms and needles
- Residents feeling intimidated or unable to use public spaces
What were the two main campaigning groups mentioned in relation to the managed zone in Holbeck, Leeds?
- “Save our Eyes”
- “Voices of Holbeck”
What is one criticism of the approach in Germany mentioned?
That the legal status of sex work in Germany has resulted in it becoming a destination for “sex tourism”, with businesses like buses and taxis providing services between airports and brothels
