On the 6th of December 2021, the European Sex workers' Rights Alliance (ESWA) was invited for the public hearing 'Regulation of prostitution in Europe, its cross-border implications and impact on gender equality and women's rights' organized by FEMM Committee of the European Parliament. The purpose of the hearing was to discuss the findings of recently published research commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the FEMM Committee on 'the differing EU Member States’ regulations on prostitution and their cross-border implications on women’s rights', written by academic Andrea Di Nicola. Two weeks ago, a summary was published with the intention to influence the debates at various EU levels.
ESWA appreciates the opportunity to be heard at the parliamentary space, a space historically difficult to access for sex workers. However, ESWA would like to express deep concerns regarding the above-mentionned research.
What over 160 internationally established academics denounce:
The Statement of concern regarding the 'The differing EU Member States' regulations on prostitution and their cross-border implications on women's rights' has been signed by 168 internationally established academics and researchers in sex work, migration and trafficking in Europe and worldwide. These academics come together to denounce yet another flawed research that supports the criminalisation of clients.
ESWA needs you to call on the member of the parliament of your country to consider evidence-based research instead of research biased towards criminalisation of clients!
In order to support ESWA and spread the word of over 160 internationally established academics, write a letter to the FEMM Committe member of the European Parliement of your country.
You will find the contact information of your countries FEMM Committe member HERE. Copy/paste the email below to call for research that is evidence-based, sex workers inclusive, transparent, and focused on wellbeing, safety, health and human rights' consequences of sex work.
Dear [insert name of the FEMM Committee member of your country]
The European Sex Workers’ Rights Alliance (ESWA) was invited for the public hearing 'Regulation of prostitution in Europe, its cross-border implications and impact on gender equality and women's rights' organized by FEMM Committee of the European Parliament on Dec.6 2021. The purpose of the hearing was to discuss the findings of recently published research commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the FEMM Committee on 'the differing EU Member States’ regulations on prostitution and their cross-border implications on women’s rights', written by academic Andrea Di Nicola. Two weeks ago, a summary was published with the intention to influence the debates at various EU levels.
While I appreciate the opportunity to be heard at the parliamentary space that has historically not been a place easily accessed by sex workers, I would like share with you the Statement of concern regarding the above mentioned research undersigned by 168 internationally established academics and researchers in sex work, migration and trafficking in Europe and worldwide. See attached.
I support ESWA in calling on the European Parliament, in particular the FEMM committee to commission a call/ tender for not ideologicaly biased but genuinely evidence based and sex workers-inclusive research on the effects of different legislative models of prostitution in a transparent way with a focus on wellbeing, safety, health and human rights’ consequences of sex workers.
I also support ESWA in calling on the European Parliament, and in particular the FEMM Committee to organize a less biased hearing where internationally established and evidence-based researchers, human rights defenders and sex workers will be invited.
Kind regards,
[insert your name here]
Don't forget to include the Statement of concern regarding the 'The differing EU Member States' regulations on prostitution and their cross-border implications on women's rights' that you can download HERE
Share this email with all the people you know. If the members of the European Parliament receive enough emails, sex workers will have a chance to be truly heard in the development of policies affecting them directly.
ESWA and the sex workers' community is counting on you