Media

The Pimping of Prostitution: Abolishing the Sex Work Myth

11 October 2017

Julie Bindel, author of The Pimping of Prostitution, will outline the key themes of her book and share details of her extraordinary journey travelling the world to uncover the truth about the sex trade.

Julie will be joined in a panel discussion with sex trade survivors from the UK, Australia and USA/Canada who will be sharing their personal knowledge and experience about the sex trade.

The speakers will be discussing the most effective methods to abolish the system of prostitution.
Panel will include: Sex trade survivors Bridget Perrier, Indigenous Canadian abolitionist; Sabrinna Valisce, former 'sex worker's rights' campaigner, from Australia/New Zealand; and Ne'Cole Daniels, Founder of Survivors on the Move. Chaired by the broadcaster and cultural commentator Samira Ahmed.
The cost of this event is £5 (which will pay towards the venue and refreshments) if purchased by 31st August, or £7.50 thereafter. Wine, soft drinks and snacks are included in the cost of your ticket. The book will be available to purchase at the event.

All welcome, but please note that this event is NOT a debate about whether or not prostitution is harmful. Whatever your view, please be respectful of the speakers. If you heckle or attempt to disrupt the event you will be asked to leave.

Wed 11 October 2017: 18:30 – 21:00 BST

Conway Hall
25 Red Lion Square
London
WC1R 4RL
United Kingdom

"My body, mind, and spirit survived so many things for so many years. The sexual exploitation and violence I endured was almost like something that happened to someone else. If I had told myself the truth about what was being done to me, my psyche would have splintered into a million pieces."

- Autumn Burris, Denver, USA
"What I know today is that women are victimised by the system of prostitution by innumerable perpetrators, and at the same time victimised by a society which is not only allowing but encouraging prostitution by accepting it as a 'job like any other'. We are victims of a society blind in one eye, advancing the wealth of a privileged few over the suffering of an incalculable number of women and children."

- Marie Merklinger, Stuttgart, Germany
"When I look back now I see that prostitutuion lured and consumed those of us who were already marginalised in society. If you were poor, if you were disadvantaged, if you had come from a broken home or had vulnerabilities connected to prior cycles of abuse, especially sexual abuse, prostitution was there waiting for you. Prostitution is a trap, and it’s not a coincidence that all over the world it ensnares those who are already struggling to survive."

- Rachel Moran, Dublin, Ireland
"When New Zealand passed full decriminalisation, things changed in unexpected ways and I came to understand that the myths of legal protection, autonomy, increased choice and greater community acceptance were unfounded.. The myth of health being better was proved false in less than 6 months of the law reform. Women were kissing and risking herpes, doing oral sex without condoms with the risk of throat warts, doing rougher and riskier practices just to get the jobs.. I dealt with punters changing expectations. I had no choice but to fight against this model ever spreading to another country."

- Sabrinna Valisce, Melbourne, Australia
"At the tender age of fifteen I was coerced into the brutal world of prostitution, I immediately lost my identity. I liken my day to day life to being on the front lines of a battlefield. I spent the next eleven years shut down and disassociated. I supressed feelings of shame and disgust constantly, by telling myself that this was a job like any other."

- Fiona Broadfoot, Bradford, UK
"It might surprise you, but it can happen to anyone. No you’re not exempt. I wasn’t."

- Marian Hatcher, Chicago, USA
"For me, sexual abuse was a direct route into prostitution. The same kind of destructive abuse chosen by myself, because I knew this feeling and recognised myself in this situation, even though the situation traumatised me over and over again."

- Tanja Rahm, Copenhagen, Denmark
"Remembering friend’s I have lost along the way, and taking a glance at all the violence, rape and inhumane activities, I just can’t help but recognize my luck to alive today."

- Mickey Meji, Cape Town, South Africa
"I was able to exit prostitution and rebuild my life, and with that my education became a tool. I was recognized for my tenacity and my strength and have been able now to be an asset to my community and to my people."

- Bridget Perrier, Toronto, Canada
"Many people ask me, how did I get into prostitution, was I “trafficked” or was I a willing participant? What many don’t understand is - however we entered - what the act of prostitution does to us; how it slowly strips us of any semblance of ourselves, as we try to sell part of our bodies, while keeping our soul intact. Prostitution preys on the most vulnerable; it takes us places we never intended to go, all driven by those who feel entitled to pay for our bodies. "

- Cherie Jimenez, Boston, USA
"Just because dancing (stripping) is legal does not mean it’s not violence against women - Stripping and prostitution go hand in hand."

- Vednita Carter, St Paul, USA

Read more testimonials

"Remembering friend’s I have lost along the way, and taking a glance at all the violence, rape and inhumane activities, I just can’t help but recognize my luck to alive today."

- Mickey Meji, Cape Town, South Africa

Read more testimonials