World Charter For Prostitute's Rights

[Lilly Lombard]

Here is the World Charter for Prostitute's Rights found by one of my collegue.


International Committee for Prostitutes Rights
Amsterdam, February 1985
Pheterson, Gail (ed.). 1989. A Vindication of the Rights of Whores. Seattle: Seal Press, p.40.


Laws
- Decriminalize all aspects of adult prostitution resulting from individual decision.

- Decriminalize prostitution and regulate third parties according to standard business codes. It must be noted that existing standard business codes allow abuse of prostitutes. Therefore special clauses must be included to prevent the abuse and stigmatization of prostitutes (self-employed and others).

- Enforce criminal laws against fraud, coercion, violence, child sexual abuse, child labor, rape, racism everywhere and across national boundaries, whether or not in the context of prostitution.

- Eradicate laws that can be interpreted to deny freedom of association, or freedom to travel, to prostitutes within and between countries. Prostitutes have rights to a private life.

Human Rights
- Guarantee prostitutes all human rights and civil liberties, including the freedom of speech, travel, immigration, work, marriage, and motherhood and the right to unemployment insurance, health insurance and housing.

- Grant asylum to anyone denied human rights on the basis of a "crime of status," be it prostitution or homosexuality.

Working Conditions
- There should be no law which implies systematic zoning of prostitution. Prostitutes should have the freedom to choose their place of work and residence. It is essential that prostitutes can provide their services under the conditions that are absolutely determined by themselves and no one else.

- There should be a committee to insure the protection of the rights of the prostitutes and to whom prostitutes can address their complaints. This committee must be comprised of prostitutes and other professionals like lawyers and supporters.

- There should be no law discriminating against prostitutes associating and working collectively in order to acquire a high degree of personal security.

Health
- All women and men should be educated to periodical health screening for sexually transmitted diseases. Since health checks have historically been used to control and stigmatize prostitutes, and since adult prostitutes are generally even more aware of sexual health than others, mandatory checks for prostitutes are unacceptable unless they are mandatory for all sexually active people.

Services
- Employment, counseling, legal, and housing services for runaway children should be funded in order to prevent child prostitution and to promote child well-being and opportunity.

- Prostitutes must have the same social benefits as all other citizens according to the different regulations in different countries.
Shelters and services for working prostitutes and re-training programs for prostitutes wishing to leave the life should be funded.

Taxes
- No special taxes should be levied on prostitutes or prostitute businesses.
Prostitutes should pay regular taxes on the same basis as other independent contractors and employees, and should receive the same benefits.

Public Opinion
- Support educational programs to change social attitudes which stigmatize and discriminate against prostitutes and ex-prostitutes of any race, gender or nationality.

- Develop educational programs which help the public to understand that the customer plays a crucial role in the prostitution phenomenon, this role being generally ignored. The customer, like the prostitute, should not, however, be criminalized or condemned on a moral basis.
We are in solidarity with workers in the sex industry.

Organization
- Organizations of prostitutes and ex-prostitutes should be supported to further implementation of the above charter.


************************************

What we would like to know is if you agree with such a Charter?


A - Yes, I agree but I prefer to stay anonymous.

A - Yes, I agree and I sign it here in this thread.

A - No, I refuse. Please let us know why, what's wrong with it, what should be changed.

A - Maybe, but only if a few changes are made. Please let us know what you would like to see changed.


*********************************


Yes, I agree and I sign : Lilly Lombard

 

[Possum Trot]

Sadly if it hasn't been adopted in twenty years the odds are deminishing..... Prostitutes need a Lady Di or Carli Sarkovski type to champion their cause because the subject remains political kryptonite

 

[Regular Guy]

Works for me!

Regular Guy

 

[naughtylady]

I cannot imagine an SP not being in agreement with such a charter.

Effectively it says sex workers rights are human rights.

Besides we are here, we are there, we are everywhere! Making laws against prostitution does not make it go away. There is not one country in the world where you cannot find prostitution in one form or another.

Ronnie,
Naughtylady

 

[La Femme]

Is it me or it's completely useless to sign a petition with a fake name?

 

[La Femme]

I was wondering the same thing but i wont put my real name (forget it)...i I was thinking that lilly did the same...so this is why i didnt give my real name either

Oh I would NEVER put my real name here either so I understand that.

Don't get me wrong, this thread is very interesting. I had never heard of the "World Charter for Prostitute's Rights" before today and I'm glad I did.

I was just trying to point out that it didn't seem logical to me to sign any kind of petition with a fake name.

 

[Lilly Lombard]

Yep, that is something I was wondering about... how to get someone to sign this thing without having their names out... will get back to you if I ever find an answer.

In the meantime, it's really interesting to see what people have to say about it.

 

[La Femme]

If, for example, we could go to the office of Stella and sign the petition there, I would personally have no problems putting my real name.

I don't think signing this petition automatically means you are a sex worker. So I would not be afraid to get "outed".

That being said... I'm not sure most girls would see things this way.

 

[Lilly Lombard]

Let's take it for what it is : a poll. And let's comment on it. The signature on the message board with fake names are not valid, it was mostly use as a figure of speach (is this the word I was looking for?).

 

[La Femme]

Let's take it for what it is : a poll. And let's comment on it. The signature on the message board with fake names are not valid, it was mostly use as a figure of speach (is this the word I was looking for?).

Fair enough.

Of course, I agree with the Charter. I voted for "I agree but prefer to stay anonymous" (in the context of the boards anyway).

I wonder if this charter was adopted in countries where prostitution is decriminalized.

 

[Merlot]

Hello Lilly,

Obviously, I think any person in any situation should have the same rights and protection as anyone else. If a category of people, such as "prostitutes", face unusual circumstances where new laws are needed to insure their protection and rights then I favor the creation of any necessary special statutes to safeguard their well-being in their more unique circumstances. However, while noting the hypocrisy of my own activities, I still have reservations about anything that encourages anyone to enter into "prostitution". I am for people...not promoting the "profession" per se.

Cheers,

Merlot

 

[eastender]

Not Comfortable With Certain Distinctions

The thread is titled World Charter for Prostitute's Rights which taken at face value sets prostitutes apart from other female sex trade workers and service providers. The initial debate is over twenty years old.

Why is such a distinction necessary? Is it desireable? Do other sex trade workers merit similar rights or benefits? Sould the issue be updated?

 

[Lilly Lombard]

The thread is titled World Charter for Prostitute's Rights which taken at face value sets prostitutes apart from other female sex trade workers and service providers. The initial debate is over twenty years old.

Why is such a distinction necessary? Is it desireable? Do other sex trade workers merit similar rights or benefits? Sould the issue be updated?

Prostitution :

- The act or practice of engaging in sex acts for hire.

- Work of prostitute: the act of engaging in sexual intercourse or performing other sex acts in exchange for money, or of offering another person for such purposes

- The giving or receiving of the body for sexual activity for hire but excludes sexual activity between spouses. (Fla. Statutes '94)

- Performing for hire, or offering or agreeing to perform for hire where there is an exchange of value, any of the following acts: Sexual intercourse; sodomy, or; manual or other bodily contact stimulation of the genitals of any person with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desires of the offender or another.(Kansas Statutes '95)

[Sources : Merriam-Webster Online, Encarta, Florida Legistature's Website, Kansas State University's Website]

The Charter here talks about international rights so the Florida definition and Kansas definition are relevant.

Basically, who performs sexual acts for money (not necessarily intercourses)? MP, SC, SP, SW. Who's left? The straight SC. Basically, there are the "entertainers" and everyone else is a prostitute. Simple!

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, you can be reasonably sure it is a duck.

 

[Lilly Lombard]

However, while noting the hypocrisy of my own activities, I still have reservations about anything that encourages anyone to enter into "prostitution". I am for people...not promoting the "profession" per se.

Cheers,

Merlot

Come on Merlot! In 10 years from now, I might not be here anymore. We have to make sure the new comers have it safe and better. Not necessarily encouraging it but educating people about it, destigmatize it, change the general opinion.

Some people may not see the point. Being a prostitute here can be a wonderful experience for some women (thus not all!). But if we look at the condition of sex workers all around the world, the conditions are much different, their rights are closer to none, many of them are slaves and die either killed or of Aids.

 

[eastender]

Post Charter

Prostitution :

- The act or practice of engaging in sex acts for hire.

- Work of prostitute: the act of engaging in sexual intercourse or performing other sex acts in exchange for money, or of offering another person for such purposes

- The giving or receiving of the body for sexual activity for hire but excludes sexual activity between spouses. (Fla. Statutes '94)

- Performing for hire, or offering or agreeing to perform for hire where there is an exchange of value, any of the following acts: Sexual intercourse; sodomy, or; manual or other bodily contact stimulation of the genitals of any person with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desires of the offender or another.(Kansas Statutes '95)

[Sources : Merriam-Webster Online, Encarta, Florida Legistature's Website, Kansas State University's Website]

The Charter here talks about international rights so the Florida definition and Kansas definition are relevant.

Basically, who performs sexual acts for money (not necessarily intercourses)? MP, SC, SP, SW. Who's left? The straight SC. Basically, there are the "entertainers" and everyone else is a prostitute. Simple!

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, you can be reasonably sure it is a duck.

Not so fast. The definitions you cite are post charter, from the mid 1990's. Charter is from the mid 1980's.

Were the definitions cited motivted by the charter or simply a by product of changing times? Has the charter evolved to include these definitions? The original charter was pre internet so it shoud have evolved to include issues raised by the internet. Is there evidence of such changes?

 

[Lilly Lombard]

Not so fast. The definitions you cite are post charter, from the mid 1990's. Charter is from the mid 1980's.

Were the definitions cited motivted by the charter or simply a by product of changing times? Has the charter evolved to include these definitions? The original charter was pre internet so it shoud have evolved to include issues raised by the internet. Is there evidence of such changes?

Are you really just trying to find the little bug that doesn't exist there? Prostitution is exchange of any sexual services in exchange of money. Who doesn't know that? It's what we learn from childhood, with our values and moral. The general population knows it...

Why would a woman who offers bj and nothing else in exchange for money be less of a prostitute than another? She offers sexual gratification for $? YES.

The categories, divisions, sub-divisions, and the sub sub categories : that comes from the sex workers themselves to have an easier time accepting what they do : "I do hand jobs but no penetrations... I am not a prostitute... " because prostitute used to be use in a negative way.

But the bottom of it, no matter what sex act you are performing IN EXCHANGE OF MONEY, you are prostituing yourself. Period.

 

[eastender]

Your Seminal Post

Here is the World Charter for Prostitute's Rights found by one of my collegue.


International Committee for Prostitutes Rights
Amsterdam, February 1985
Pheterson, Gail (ed.). 1989. A Vindication of the Rights of Whores. Seattle: Seal Press, p.40.


Laws
- Decriminalize all aspects of adult prostitution resulting from individual decision.

- Decriminalize prostitution and regulate third parties according to standard business codes. It must be noted that existing standard business codes allow abuse of prostitutes. Therefore special clauses must be included to prevent the abuse and stigmatization of prostitutes (self-employed and others).

- Enforce criminal laws against fraud, coercion, violence, child sexual abuse, child labor, rape, racism everywhere and across national boundaries, whether or not in the context of prostitution.

- Eradicate laws that can be interpreted to deny freedom of association, or freedom to travel, to prostitutes within and between countries. Prostitutes have rights to a private life.

Human Rights
- Guarantee prostitutes all human rights and civil liberties, including the freedom of speech, travel, immigration, work, marriage, and motherhood and the right to unemployment insurance, health insurance and housing.

- Grant asylum to anyone denied human rights on the basis of a "crime of status," be it prostitution or homosexuality.

Working Conditions
- There should be no law which implies systematic zoning of prostitution. Prostitutes should have the freedom to choose their place of work and residence. It is essential that prostitutes can provide their services under the conditions that are absolutely determined by themselves and no one else.

- There should be a committee to insure the protection of the rights of the prostitutes and to whom prostitutes can address their complaints. This committee must be comprised of prostitutes and other professionals like lawyers and supporters.

- There should be no law discriminating against prostitutes associating and working collectively in order to acquire a high degree of personal security.

Health
- All women and men should be educated to periodical health screening for sexually transmitted diseases. Since health checks have historically been used to control and stigmatize prostitutes, and since adult prostitutes are generally even more aware of sexual health than others, mandatory checks for prostitutes are unacceptable unless they are mandatory for all sexually active people.

Services
- Employment, counseling, legal, and housing services for runaway children should be funded in order to prevent child prostitution and to promote child well-being and opportunity.

- Prostitutes must have the same social benefits as all other citizens according to the different regulations in different countries.
Shelters and services for working prostitutes and re-training programs for prostitutes wishing to leave the life should be funded.

Taxes
- No special taxes should be levied on prostitutes or prostitute businesses.
Prostitutes should pay regular taxes on the same basis as other independent contractors and employees, and should receive the same benefits.

Public Opinion
- Support educational programs to change social attitudes which stigmatize and discriminate against prostitutes and ex-prostitutes of any race, gender or nationality.

- Develop educational programs which help the public to understand that the customer plays a crucial role in the prostitution phenomenon, this role being generally ignored. The customer, like the prostitute, should not, however, be criminalized or condemned on a moral basis.
We are in solidarity with workers in the sex industry.

Organization
- Organizations of prostitutes and ex-prostitutes should be supported to further implementation of the above charter.


************************************

What we would like to know is if you agree with such a Charter?


A - Yes, I agree but I prefer to stay anonymous.

A - Yes, I agree and I sign it here in this thread.

A - No, I refuse. Please let us know why, what's wrong with it, what should be changed.

A - Maybe, but only if a few changes are made. Please let us know what you would like to see changed.


*********************************


Yes, I agree and I sign : Lilly Lombard

Your seminal post, above, presents a document sbmitted by a long defunct committee in 1985. You have not presented any evidence that the document was ever adopted anywhere outside committee chambers. Nor have I found such evidence anywhere on the internet. As such, all you have is a position paper or a working document from a conference that is almost 25 years old.

The ideas expressed are noble BUT much has changed since 1985.

Basically I am asking has the document evolved during this period? Has legislation in various jurisdictions refleted the issues raised by the document?
There is also the obvious question as to why nothing has happened since 1985 to advance the acceptence of the charter?

 

[Merlot]

Come on Merlot! In 10 years from now, I might not be here anymore. We have to make sure the new comers have it safe and better. Not necessarily encouraging it but educating people about it, destigmatize it, change the general opinion.

Some people may not see the point. Being a prostitute here can be a wonderful experience for some women (thus not all!). But if we look at the condition of sex workers all around the world, the conditions are much different, their rights are closer to none, many of them are slaves and die either killed or of Aids.

Hello Lilly,

I think we both said exactly the same thing. I support every protection for the ladies...as I said. Unlike one member who always denied the possibility that some women can find the "profession" a "wonderful experience", I agree with you on every point. But, I just don't think that overall prostitution is not a good choice for most women.

Cheers,

Merlot

 

[Lilly Lombard]

Your seminal post, above, presents a document sbmitted by a long defunct committee in 1985. You have not presented any evidence that the document was ever adopted anywhere outside committee chambers. Nor have I found such evidence anywhere on the internet. As such, all you have is a position paper or a working document from a conference that is almost 25 years old.

The ideas expressed are noble BUT much has changed since 1985.

Basically I am asking has the document evolved during this period? Has legislation in various jurisdictions refleted the issues raised by the document?
There is also the obvious question as to why nothing has happened since 1985 to advance the acceptence of the charter?

I am tired and need some sleep badly... But I will sitll answer some of your post.

It seems to me it's been a work in progress since. This has been put together by women who thought that the sex workers in this world should be seen as any other human being 25yrs ago.

What's happened since?

- Netherlands legalized prostitution in January 1988
- The UK has a unionized sex work
- Every year, many people are marching to try to get these rights recognized and approved by the rest of the world : http://www.bayswan.org/penet.html

Has the world change so much since? The World has, prostitution hasn't.

Why hasn't it been approved worldwide yet? Because 25yrs ago, the world wasn't ready for that. Maybe it's still not ready but eventually it might be so why giving up on it?
Does it need an update? Maybe, there is always room for improvement, but it is still a very good guideline for something that could be more than just a proposition.

Btw, this thread also exists on the other board... maybe you want to go ask Amelie the same questions. Me, I'm going to bed!

 

[eastender]

Seriously.......................

I am tired and need some sleep badly... But I will sitll answer some of your post.

It seems to me it's been a work in progress since. This has been put together by women who thought that the sex workers in this world should be seen as any other human being 25yrs ago.

What's happened since?

- Netherlands legalized prostitution in January 1988
- The UK has a unionized sex work
- Every year, many people are marching to try to get these rights recognized and approved by the rest of the world : http://www.bayswan.org/penet.html

Has the world change so much since? The World has, prostitution hasn't.

Why hasn't it been approved worldwide yet? Because 25yrs ago, the world wasn't ready for that. Maybe it's still not ready but eventually it might be so why giving up on it?
Does it need an update? Maybe, there is always room for improvement, but it is still a very good guideline for something that could be more than just a proposition.

Btw, this thread also exists on the other board... maybe you want to go ask Amelie the same questions. Me, I'm going to bed!

Saw the other thread and the only viable contribution was by the poster who questionned if prostitutes were going to assume certain responsibilities that are part of any profession. Seems that this is not going to happen so everything moves back to square one. Benefits without responsibilities does not get much support from other people and until this changes the charter will not be taken very seriously even though it is noble in intent.

As for changes. The internet has changed prostitution immensely. Evidenced by this board. The internet also raises other issues that are of concern to prostitutes - privacy issues and copyright issues. Both touch on the diffusion of personal images and information which is not directly raised in the charter.

Finally you still have the unresolved issue of whether prostitutes are workers who unionize or professionals who form associations that in effect police themselves by accepting responsibilities and setting standards, something which unionized workers do not.