One of our incredible members, Porcelain Victoria, spoke to the Daily Record about how Regan’s dangerous Bill would put her and other sex workers at risk of further violence.
See an excerpt from the article below, we are so proud of you Victoria!
A dominatrix has warned sex workers will lose their “basic survival techniques” if a proposed prostitution bill passes in Scotland.
Porcelain Victoria, 26, penned an open letter to politicians opposing the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill and said the legislation would endanger women and expose them to violence.
The radical proposals put forward by independent MSP Ash Regan could see those paying for sex fined up to £10,000 and face jail time. The proposed bill aims to criminalise those buying sex, while decriminalising those selling it.
It is set to go to a crunch vote at Holyrood next month.
Mum-of-one Porcelain said the laws will stop sex workers using basic techniques to stay safe such as screening client IDs or taking down vehicle registration plates as those buying sex would be discouraged from sharing their identities.
In her open letter Porcelain, who lives in Fife, wrote: “I am writing this to you while shaking and scared for the future, not only for myself – but for my child. If Regan’s Bill passes, workers like me won’t have the basic survival techniques we have right now, such as being able to screen clients by asking for ID, or a bank transfer, or even by taking down a license plate number.
“We will have to take on dangerous clients which could lead to serious harm, and even death. This is why it is so important to look at the evidence provided by academics and other governments such as Northern Ireland who say that this would increase violence against us; over people whose argument is only based on their own morals.”
Porcelain, who has been selling sex for eight years added: “Sex work is primarily about poverty, and the dire cost of living crisis.
“Ash Regan is targeting vulnerable people in society who are trying to get by in a challenging economy.
“If the desire is to lower the number of sex workers in this country, the focus should be on increasing social housing, free and flexible childcare, disability benefits and ensuring people have enough money to live on.”
Last week 120 sex workers across Scotland signed an open letter urging MSPs to oppose Regan’s “Unbuyable Bill” after arguing the laws would expose them to further risk of violence. The group called on the legislation to be thrown out.