http://www.beyondthestreets.org.uk/index.php en mark@beyondthestreets.org.uk Copyright 2010 2010-09-06T09:20:26+00:00 http://www.beyondthestreets.org.uk/index.php/news/entry/economist_debate_on_legalizing_prostitution/ http://www.beyondthestreets.org.uk/index.php/news/entry/economist_debate_on_legalizing_prostitution/#When:09:20:26Z From Monday 6th September through to 13th September The Economist is hosting a live debate on it’s website. http://www.economist.com/debate/days/view/572 With Sienna Baskin defending the position and Melissa Farley in opposition there are plenty of arguments that seek to address the issue.There is the opportunity to vote as well as contribute your thoughts and views. although as usual there is the danger of polarisation and very little working together to end violence, abuse and exploitation. The following statistic from Farley is extremely insightful and goes a long way to dispel the myth that prostitution is a normal job just like any other. “In nine countries, we found that 68% of women, men and transgendered people in prostitution had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a prevalence that is comparable to that of battered or raped women seeking help, and survivors of state-sponsored torture. Across widely varying cultures on five continents the traumatic consequences of prostitution were similar whether prostitution was legal, tolerated, or illegal.”         2010-09-06T09:20:26+00:00 http://www.beyondthestreets.org.uk/index.php/news/entry/the_hunt_for_britains_sex_traffickers/ http://www.beyondthestreets.org.uk/index.php/news/entry/the_hunt_for_britains_sex_traffickers/#When:09:18:51Z In case you missed the Channel 4 short films “The Hunt for Britain’s Sex Traffickers” you can still find them for the next 3 weeks on 4OD. http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-hunt-for-britains-sex-traffickers/4od 2010-09-06T09:18:51+00:00 http://www.beyondthestreets.org.uk/index.php/news/entry/using_negative_labels_hinders_according_to_new_study/ http://www.beyondthestreets.org.uk/index.php/news/entry/using_negative_labels_hinders_according_to_new_study/#When:07:45:59Z According to a new report by the UK Drugs Policy Commission, the use of negative labels such as “junkie” and “addict” is a major obstacle to the recovery of those affected. The UKDPC study, Sinning and Sinned Against: The Stigmatisation of Problem Drug Users, calls for the media to consider how they portray people who misuse substances and for the end of negative labelling. The UKDPC report says the stigma attached to drug addiction and enforced by labelling remains a big obstacle for people finding a pathway to recovery and employment. The report says people think of those who use or have used drugs as the “junk of society” – and crucially, only having themselves to blame and it is this attitude that hinders access to treatment and blocks people from a path to recovery. Colin Blakemore, professor of neuroscience at Oxford University and member of the UK Drug Policy Commission said: “‘Junkie’ and ‘addict’ have become pejorative shorthand for perceived social decay, conveying a sense of anxiety out of all proportion to reality, but such hostile attitudes only add to the barriers of escape from drug dependence.” At Beyond the Streets we welcome this report and the challenge to stop using labels and the enforcement of stigma. For recovery and change we need to see life Beyond the Label For the full report, please visit http://www.ukdpc.org.uk/resources/Stigma_Expert_Commentary_final.pdf 2010-08-24T07:45:59+00:00 http://www.beyondthestreets.org.uk/index.php/news/entry/its_not_just_a_human_trafficking_issue/ http://www.beyondthestreets.org.uk/index.php/news/entry/its_not_just_a_human_trafficking_issue/#When:07:33:34Z The focus on foreign women trafficked into the UK and forced to work in prostitution has overshadowed a local issue. For further information on the Independent article please check out the following link: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/revealed-the-horrific-trade-in-british-children-for-sex-2053047.html 2010-08-16T07:33:34+00:00 http://www.beyondthestreets.org.uk/index.php/news/entry/official_prostitution_age_to_be_increased_from_18_to_21_in_holland/ http://www.beyondthestreets.org.uk/index.php/news/entry/official_prostitution_age_to_be_increased_from_18_to_21_in_holland/#When:10:20:51Z Whilst some like to suggest Amsterdam is a good model for legalising prostitution there is a move to increase the legal age from 18 to 21 having recognised that younger girls get drawn into the unregulated side of prostitution within the city. http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2010/04/legal_prostitution_age_to_be_i.php 2010-08-12T10:20:51+00:00 http://www.beyondthestreets.org.uk/index.php/news/entry/juvenile_delinquents_or_victims_of_child_exploitation/ http://www.beyondthestreets.org.uk/index.php/news/entry/juvenile_delinquents_or_victims_of_child_exploitation/#When:11:08:33Z For many people there are plenty of assumptions and misunderstandings as to why people are involved in prostitution. The reality is that things are complex and it is easier to convey a simple story. This is perhaps why there are so many groups engaging with the issue of human trafficking - the issue is often easily explained as force and akin to slavery. But what about the women on the streets in many cities across the UK? Is it an issue of choice, or one where decisions have been made in the absence of the types of choice many take for granted? What we cannot ignore is the shocking fact that the majority of women involved in street prostitution are bought initially as children. For others there is a history sexual abuse. What is clear is that there isn’t informed choice. There is no way we can really believe a child makes a choice to sell sex. After all a 15 year old cannot choose to marry so how can they choose prostitution? After a start to life that involves child exploitation do we really expect someone at 18 to make different choices now they have become an adult? These women however are labelled and society tells us they have chosen this route. Perhaps the trafficking issue is compulsive and simple but the complicated truth behind child sexual abuse and the consequences of it must be heard and our attitudes and understanding must reflect the reality rather than our assumptions. For an interesting article on the issue check out the following link: http://thecrimereport.org/2010/06/30/escaping-the-life/ To help people understand the needs of commercially exploited children there has been a campaign to redefine the victims as “domestic minor sex trafficking victims”. This has helped people to understand the links between trafficking and prostitution. At last children are not being seen as delinquents but let’s hope the dialogue continues and those “domestic minor sex trafficking victims” who are now adults are no longer seen as women who are living with the consequence of their choices. 2010-07-02T11:08:33+00:00 http://www.beyondthestreets.org.uk/index.php/news/entry/real_men_dont_buy_girls_campaign/ http://www.beyondthestreets.org.uk/index.php/news/entry/real_men_dont_buy_girls_campaign/#When:10:30:48Z If you haven’t seen it already, the Brazilian footballer Kaka is lending his name and support to the “Real Men Don’t Buy Girls” Campaign. http://ricardokakaonline.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=262&pos=0 Great to see such high profile people profiling the issue. 2010-06-30T10:30:48+00:00 http://www.beyondthestreets.org.uk/index.php/news/entry/espn_video_on_exploitation_in_south_africa/ http://www.beyondthestreets.org.uk/index.php/news/entry/espn_video_on_exploitation_in_south_africa/#When:14:44:14Z There has been much speculation over the increase in human trafficking in the run up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. ESPN’s Outside the Lines have produced the following video exploring the exploitation happening in South Africa - http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/otl/news/story?id=5251940 Whilst the question of those trafficked to South Africa is raised in the report the fact remains there are many from South Africa who are equally exploited and other passages of entry into prostitution has led to their exploitation. 2010-06-16T14:44:14+00:00 http://www.beyondthestreets.org.uk/index.php/news/entry/my_dangerous_loverboy_dvd/ http://www.beyondthestreets.org.uk/index.php/news/entry/my_dangerous_loverboy_dvd/#When:13:27:28Z The UKHTC and Quba film “ My Dangerous Loverboy”, which tackles internal trafficking for sexual exploitation is due to be released shortly alongside an educational pack for its use in schools and other preventative education settings. Other resources are available via the projects facebook group and website. Further information: http://www.mydangerousloverboy.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/mydangerousloverboy?ref=ts 2010-06-08T13:27:28+00:00 http://www.beyondthestreets.org.uk/index.php/news/entry/reports_in_germany_show_sex_trafficking_increasing/ http://www.beyondthestreets.org.uk/index.php/news/entry/reports_in_germany_show_sex_trafficking_increasing/#When:09:07:29Z A top German law enforcement official has warned of a climbing number of human trafficking cases in the country with an 11-percent rise in the figure. “Over the course of the last five years, the number of investigations has risen continuously from 317 to 534. This means an increase of 70 percent over five years and 11 percent last year alone. We attach great importance to this form of criminal activity because the human dignity of the victims is violated,” said Jorg Ziercke, the Chief Commissioner of the Federal Criminal Police Office of Germany, Press TV reported Monday. Thousands of people are illegally transported each year around the world, where they are sold as prostitutes, forced laborers and even exploited as organ donors, according to the report. For more details: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=127565&sectionid=351020604 2010-06-01T09:07:29+00:00