The problem with 'sex work': Interview with prostitution survivor Rose Hunter
We were very grateful for the opportunity to interview writer and prostitution survivor Rose Hunter, whose memoir Body Shell Girl was released in 2022. Campaigns Manager Caitlin Roper sat down with Rose for a discussion on myths and misconceptions about the sex trade, the problems with 'sex work' terminology, Lily Phillips, women’s ‘choices’ and supposed empowerment, as well as why we support the Nordic or abolitionist approach to prostitution legislation rather than full decriminalisation (which decriminalises pimping, brothel keeping and sex buying).
We include some highlights from Rose below.
Read moreSex with 100 men in 24 hours: Opportunistic men and a young woman’s self-harm
“The common thread is a culture that normalises the objectification of women while shielding the men who exploit it”
A YouTube documentary released last week records the experience of English OnlyFans model Lily Phillips in her quest to have sex with 100 men in a single day.
The documentary, produced by YouTuber Josh Pieters, follows Lily prior to the day as well as in the immediate aftermath of the sexual feat. Smiling weakly and blinking back tears, her eyes red and stinging from so many men ejaculating in them, the frail 23-year-old describes the ordeal as “intense” and leaves the room in tears.
In response to the viral clip extracted from the doco, many viewers dismissed the obvious damage to Lily on the basis that she chose to participate. She chose to be used by these men, they argue, so the harm done to her doesn’t count. The men who took turns using her body in rapid succession get a free pass. We do not believe it is that simple.
Abuse of women in sex trade “a bit of fun”: Spotlight remains silent, continues to profit from pimp costumes
"Men can dress up as the men who beat, rape, abuse and murder vulnerable women and girls in the sex trade as though it is just a bit of fun or a laugh – enabled by you."
Back in July, we exposed craft and fabrics store Spotlight selling pimp costumes that trivialise male violence against women and girls in the sex trade.
The retailer has failed to respond – even after we contacted Head Office by phone and email multiple times, and even after we published the account of a sex trafficking survivor who outlined how these products normalise the sexual exploitation of women.
It appears Spotlight has made a conscious decision to continue to sell misogynistic pimp costumes in their stores.
We’ve called on our thousands of supporters around the country to boycott Spotlight until they stop selling these products.
Read more“Heartbreaking”: Sex trafficking survivor responds to Spotlight pimp costumes
We exposed crafts and fabrics store Spotlight selling pimp costumes back in July. The retailer has failed to respond – even after we contacted Head Office by phone and email – and continues to sell these misogynistic products.
We wonder if Spotlight considered how women and girls who are survivors of sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation might feel about their decision to knowingly profit from a product that trivialises their abuse?
Caroline Pugh-Robert, a sex trafficking survivor and award-winning expert and speaker, weighs in below.
Read moreProstitution “a form of violence against women and girls”: UN Special Rapporteur calls for abolitionist model + cites Collective Shout
Reem Alsalem, United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences has delivered her report on prostitution, examining violence against women and girls “as a form, cause and consequence of prostitution”. We welcome her findings, which condemn prostitution as a form of male violence against women and her call for a human rights abolitionist approach to the sex trade.
Ms Alsalem reviewed 300 submissions (including ours) from around 60 countries, including submissions and consultations from sex trade survivors before publishing her report. We were pleased to be cited in her final report.
In her concluding statements, she said:
Read moreI have complied with the obligations to consult widely and to listen. However, this Council has not asked me to listen only, and not listen to those that speak loudest but also to bring in my independent and impartial analysis from a human rights perspective.
Former OnlyFans recruiter exposes reality of the industry in Daily Telegraph
Collective Shout volunteer Victoria interviewed
Former OnlyFans recruiter turned Collective Shout volunteer Victoria was interviewed for the Daily Telegraph last week, where she revealed the abuse and degradation of women she witnessed which ultimately led to her quitting her job.
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"I was trafficked because men buy sex": survivor Caroline shares her experience for human trafficking awareness month
Guest post by Caroline Pugh-Roberts
Read moreQueensland wants to deregulate the sex industry because it's cheaper, not because it's 'safer'
By Dr Caroline Norma
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