88% buying sex will stop if put on register Study reveals ‘naming and shaming’ would deter men using prostitutes A SCOTTISH study of men who buy sex from prostitutes has found most would be deterred if their names were put on the sex offenders register as punishment.
Preliminary findings from interviews with more than 100 men aged 18-77, who had kerb-crawled, used saunas and illegal brothels for sexual services, found 88% would stop using prostitutes if "named and shamed" on the register, used to identify anyone cautioned, convicted or released from prison for sex offences.
The Glasgow-based Scottish Women's Group, which campaigns to protect women and children, paid the "punters" £20 each to be interviewed after they responded to adverts in newspapers.
They were questioned about circumstances in which they bought sex, their personal relationships, views about women in the sex trade and what they thought were the most effective punishments. It formed part of an international study, including research into male users in India, Spain and the US.
Researchers found 85% of men would be deterred if their photographs and/or names were displayed on billboards following conviction for kerb-crawling, which became an offence under laws brought into force last week. Some 83% said they would not seek paid sex if their details were published in local newspapers, and 77% said they same if they were "named and shamed" on the internet.
Researchers found 68% and 69% of men respectively would be deterred by heavier fines, such as those introduced with the new laws, or if their vehicles were impounded.
However, 55% said being forced to attend an educational scheme to learn about the damage prostitution does to women would not stop them.
Jan Macleod, development officer with the Women's Support Project, warned prostitutes face being criminalised if the register was used for kerb-crawlers and other sex users.
She said: "Naming and shaming men would clearly have a huge impact, but I would not like to see women put on the register."
One "punter" said: "Police came and said move out or we'll get your number plate and write to your wife. Last time I went, in fact - it was a strong deterrent for me."
The study revealed 85% of the men believed women were forced into sex, and were aware of the harm it caused to women, families and communities. Despite that, a similar percentage wanted prostitution to be legalised in Britain.
One man who took part in the study said: "They've got to go out and out earn money, the majority of time that's the only way they can make money. They maybe need money for a drug problem or maybe get enough for another job."
Another male "punter" said prostitutes "are just there to satisfy your sexual urges".
Lynn Anderson, of the Scottish Coalition Against Sexual Exploitation, who interviewed many of the men, said: "They don't see the harm of women having unwanted sex day in, day out, and that such legalisation is not just about reducing the risk of sexually transmitted diseases."
Almost half the men, who were an average age of 37, had marriages or partners and many claimed prostitutes shored up their relationships by satisfying their need for sex.
A breakdown of the preliminary results found 76% bought sex indoors and 56% outside; 53% were Christian, 1% Muslim and 5% had other religious affiliations, although 40% had no beliefs.
The survey was carried out for Dr Melissa Farley of the Prostitution, Research & Education (PRE) group in San Francisco.
Pauline McNeill, Labour's shadow justice secretary, described the research as interesting. She said: "The focus must be on encouraging the courts to use the full powers made available to them. I also expect there to be more convictions as a direct result."
Elaine Smith, Labour MSP and gender reporter to the Scottish Parliament's equal opportunities committee, said it showed the need to "educate and find out from men what lies beneath these attitudes". She added: "Work like this helps challenge demand when they start thinking it's more than simply a business deal or money changing hands."
The government is currently consulting focus groups of men who use prostitutes for a campaign. A spokesman said no date had been set for its launch.
The preliminary results of the study will be released at Challenging Demand 2, a conference organised by the Scottish Women's Group on Wednesday in the Teacher Building, St Enoch Square, Glasgow. For details contact 0141 552 2221.
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Posted by: Sam, Glasgow on 8:44am Sun 21 Oct 07
If you put men who take part in the oldest trade in the world (I see there is no suggestion of putting women on the register) on the sex offenders register you eventually demean that register. Already we have a senior policeman calling for a rethink of what should be put on that register to keep it effective whilst we have 'women's Groups' in their ever present war to demonise men wanting to fill it to the brim.
If you put men who take part in the oldest trade in the world (I see there is no suggestion of putting women on the register) on the sex offenders register you eventually demean that register. Already we have a senior policeman calling for a rethink of what should be put on that register to keep it effective whilst we have 'women's Groups' in their ever present war to demonise men wanting to fill it to the brim.
Posted by: Michelle, Glssgow on 2:27pm Sun 21 Oct 07
I think the really worrying thing is that 55% of the men interviewed believed prostitutes were forced into having sex, but didn't actually care.
There was a similar study carried out in England were it was found that 85% of men caught visiting prostitutes said that even if they knew the women were being forced to have sex (ie. they were being raped)it wouldn't stop them using them.
These findings would imply that most men who use prostitutes actually to deserve to be on the sex offenders register.
And while not all women who become prostitutes are forced by violent men, most prostitutes are incredibly vulnerable people. A number of studies have found many prostitutes were sexually abused as children.
So basically most men who go go prostitutes are either raping a woman who is basically a sex slave, or taking advantage of someone who is damaged and vulnerable.
I think the really worrying thing is that 55% of the men interviewed believed prostitutes were forced into having sex, but didn't actually care.
There was a similar study carried out in England were it was found that 85% of men caught visiting prostitutes said that even if they knew the women were being forced to have sex (ie. they were being raped)it wouldn't stop them using them.
These findings would imply that most men who use prostitutes actually to deserve to be on the sex offenders register.
And while not all women who become prostitutes are forced by violent men, most prostitutes are incredibly vulnerable people. A number of studies have found many prostitutes were sexually abused as children.
So basically most men who go go prostitutes are either raping a woman who is basically a sex slave, or taking advantage of someone who is damaged and vulnerable.
Posted by: allan, brisbane on 2:43pm Sun 21 Oct 07
and what about the male prostitues i am sure the u.k. like australia will have many male prostitues and known pick up areas
and what about the male prostitues i am sure the u.k. like australia will have many male prostitues and known pick up areas
Posted by: kashmillions on 5:17pm Sun 21 Oct 07
You want to put men on the register but not men and you call this equal and fair that is plain stupidty If You want to do something significient to stop the problem Then start programs for those women that will make them enought money to stay off the street and as for the men do not theaten them take real action by taking then to there wifes or getting their wife while they are in the act and letting them make the bust not the police and do it on national tv dud!!1 draft their paychecks for no less then 1000 US Dollars that will get the mens attention but really deep down I believe that most women and men want a thrill but it is up to you the law abiding citzens to come up with that solution and jail and fines are not the only solutions sometimes I believe even the law abiding people have a secret hid away sexual desirer they want to fulfill but push it deep down and suffer physological damage because they can act on that desirer they are cranky angry unpleasant not easy to work with always complaining downright nasty because of pent up desirers that they feel are inappropate to release Hints the saying:: You CAN'T JUDGE ANOTHER MAN UNTIL YOU HAVE WALKED IN THAT MAN'S SHOES GOOD PEOPLE MAKE MISTAKES TOO, NO SMART MINDED LAWYER OR CRAY HEAD IN THE CLOUD JUDGE OR LOWLINE POLICE CHIEF OR DETECTIVE IS above error SO LET ALL THAT SAID OR DONE BE DONE FAIRNESS AND TRUTH WITH THE THOUGHT IN MIND "WHAT WOULD I DO IF THAT WERE ME OR MY CHILD OR WIFE"
You want to put men on the register but not men and you call this equal and fair that is plain stupidty If You want to do something significient to stop the problem Then start programs for those women that will make them enought money to stay off the street and as for the men do not theaten them take real action by taking then to there wifes or getting their wife while they are in the act and letting them make the bust not the police and do it on national tv dud!!1 draft their paychecks for no less then 1000 US Dollars that will get the mens attention but really deep down I believe that most women and men want a thrill but it is up to you the law abiding citzens to come up with that solution and jail and fines are not the only solutions sometimes I believe even the law abiding people have a secret hid away sexual desirer they want to fulfill but push it deep down and suffer physological damage because they can act on that desirer they are cranky angry unpleasant not easy to work with always complaining downright nasty because of pent up desirers that they feel are inappropate to release Hints the saying:: You CAN'T JUDGE ANOTHER MAN UNTIL YOU HAVE WALKED IN THAT MAN'S SHOES GOOD PEOPLE MAKE MISTAKES TOO, NO SMART MINDED LAWYER OR CRAY HEAD IN THE CLOUD JUDGE OR LOWLINE POLICE CHIEF OR DETECTIVE IS above error SO LET ALL THAT SAID OR DONE BE DONE FAIRNESS AND TRUTH WITH THE THOUGHT IN MIND "WHAT WOULD I DO IF THAT WERE ME OR MY CHILD OR WIFE"
Posted by: Sam, Glasgow on 5:30am Mon 22 Oct 07
Well done Michelle you have now argued for men to be put on the sex offenders register for thinking.
Well done Michelle you have now argued for men to be put on the sex offenders register for thinking.
Posted by: Michael Goodyear, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada on 5:12pm Tue 23 Oct 07
Firstly I would advise some caution about interpreting data reported in the media, and data about clandestine activities. Melissa Farley is a controversial advocate for the prohibition of sex work and her work is regularly criticised on scientific and ethical grounds, and can rarely be independently confirmed. It has also been th esubject of complaints.
Answers on issues such as these will depend on how you find your subjects and what you ask them. It is no surprise that men might be deterred by being named and shamed in the extreme manner depicted here, however the data here do confirm that of other's - that so called rehabilitation of clients is not a deterrent. Whether such activities as envisaged here are compatible with human rights is a question we should also ask and this should not be taken as an endorsement of Scotland's kerb-crawling legislation.
I have great difficulty believing that 85% of Farley's sample believed sex workers are forced, but again it depends how you ask the question and what you ask.
The statement that the legislation is designed to prevent sexually transmitted diseases is untrue. Sex workers have high standards of sexual health, and this legislation is more likely to increase STDs by creating difficult conditions for clients and workers.
In the end most research has found that men who purchase sex are no different to the general population, so that legislation based on demonising men has little validity and has great potential for harm as has already happened in Scotland where violence has increased considerably.
Firstly I would advise some caution about interpreting data reported in the media, and data about clandestine activities. Melissa Farley is a controversial advocate for the prohibition of sex work and her work is regularly criticised on scientific and ethical grounds, and can rarely be independently confirmed. It has also been th esubject of complaints.
Answers on issues such as these will depend on how you find your subjects and what you ask them. It is no surprise that men might be deterred by being named and shamed in the extreme manner depicted here, however the data here do confirm that of other's - that so called rehabilitation of clients is not a deterrent. Whether such activities as envisaged here are compatible with human rights is a question we should also ask and this should not be taken as an endorsement of Scotland's kerb-crawling legislation.
I have great difficulty believing that 85% of Farley's sample believed sex workers are forced, but again it depends how you ask the question and what you ask.
The statement that the legislation is designed to prevent sexually transmitted diseases is untrue. Sex workers have high standards of sexual health, and this legislation is more likely to increase STDs by creating difficult conditions for clients and workers.
In the end most research has found that men who purchase sex are no different to the general population, so that legislation based on demonising men has little validity and has great potential for harm as has already happened in Scotland where violence has increased considerably.
Posted by: jule, usa on 7:05pm Tue 23 Oct 07
"In the end most research has found that men who purchase sex are no different to the general population, so that legislation based on demonising men has little validity and has great potential for harm as has already happened in Scotland [bold]where violence has increased considerably[/bold]."
What you're saying is that men will get more violent against women if they are denied 24-hour, 7-days-a-week access to women's bodies. If johns are indeed just normal men, the implications of what you're saying is the essence of terrorism: give men what they want or else they're going to rape and murder prostituting women more than the ungodly, unacceptable amount they already do.
This is normal male behavior? Men like you frighten me, Michael. For someone concerned about "demonising men" it's ironic to say men will murder women more if they don't get the [italic]sex-based leisure activity[/italic] they desire from women. That's the most evil thing I think I've ever heard said about men in my entire life.
"In the end most research has found that men who purchase sex are no different to the general population, so that legislation based on demonising men has little validity and has great potential for harm as has already happened in Scotland
where violence has increased considerably."
What you're saying is that men will get more violent against women if they are denied 24-hour, 7-days-a-week access to women's bodies. If johns are indeed just normal men, the implications of what you're saying is the essence of terrorism: give men what they want or else they're going to rape and murder prostituting women more than the ungodly, unacceptable amount they already do.
This is normal male behavior? Men like you frighten me, Michael. For someone concerned about "demonising men" it's ironic to say men will murder women more if they don't get the
sex-based leisure activity they desire from women. That's the most evil thing I think I've ever heard said about men in my entire life.
Posted by: Michael Goodyear, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada on 2:15pm Wed 24 Oct 07
Thanks for your comments Jule. Unfortunately violence against women by men exists and is something that we should all be concerned about. This is independent of whether they have been customers of sex workers or not. The percentage of customers who have ever been violent is very small, and is mainly towards street workers. Other men who are not clients but bear grudges against women seek out street workers as easy prey knowing there is a low chance of prosecution. What has happened in countries that have introduced laws against the purchase of sex or of soliciting sex (kerb crawling) is that the good customers become afraid and stay away leaving the streets to men who are more criminally inclined. Furthermore such laws make it difficult for sex workers' usual safety mechanisms to work, such as screening and back up.
For information on the increasing violence on Scottish streets recently see these articles:
http://news.scotsman
.com/index.cfm?id=16
58822007
http://news.scotsman
.com/scotland.cfm?id
=1687582007
Michael Goodyear
http://myweb.dal.ca/
mgoodyea/goodyear.ht
ml
Thanks for your comments Jule. Unfortunately violence against women by men exists and is something that we should all be concerned about. This is independent of whether they have been customers of sex workers or not. The percentage of customers who have ever been violent is very small, and is mainly towards street workers. Other men who are not clients but bear grudges against women seek out street workers as easy prey knowing there is a low chance of prosecution. What has happened in countries that have introduced laws against the purchase of sex or of soliciting sex (kerb crawling) is that the good customers become afraid and stay away leaving the streets to men who are more criminally inclined. Furthermore such laws make it difficult for sex workers' usual safety mechanisms to work, such as screening and back up.
For information on the increasing violence on Scottish streets recently see these articles:
http://news.scotsman
.com/index.cfm?id=16
58822007
http://news.scotsman
.com/scotland.cfm?id
=1687582007
Michael Goodyear
http://myweb.dal.ca/
mgoodyea/goodyear.ht
ml
Posted by: dudette on 5:19am Thu 25 Oct 07
You know, that would make them look and act the same exact was as any other john up until the point they commit violence when you irrationally and inexplicably bump them off the john list. They're still johns when they pick up a prostitute, rape and beat her, then toss $10 at her bleeding face to complete their end of the "transaction".
Also, the same number of criminally inclined men on the streets doesn't magically increase because your so-called "good johns" stop coming around.
I'd love to see how you rationalize that prostitutes can sniff out potential rapists in a way other women can't. Bottle that up and sell it to make yourself the millionaire who ended rape by teaching all women hooker techniques on how to tell rapist men from non-rapist men.
You know, that would make them look and act the same exact was as any other john up until the point they commit violence when you irrationally and inexplicably bump them off the john list. They're still johns when they pick up a prostitute, rape and beat her, then toss $10 at her bleeding face to complete their end of the "transaction".
Also, the same number of criminally inclined men on the streets doesn't magically increase because your so-called "good johns" stop coming around.
I'd love to see how you rationalize that prostitutes can sniff out potential rapists in a way other women can't. Bottle that up and sell it to make yourself the millionaire who ended rape by teaching all women hooker techniques on how to tell rapist men from non-rapist men.
Posted by: Michael Goodyear, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada on 5:09pm Fri 26 Oct 07
This is based on an analysis of cases in which men have been charged with violence towards sex workers.
When potentially violent men are the predominant people around sex workers, violence increases.
When you live in a dangerous environment you become much more attuned to screening your customers. And yes, sex workers could give lessons to other women, but you have to consider the circumstances under which violence occurs.
This is based on an analysis of cases in which men have been charged with violence towards sex workers.
When potentially violent men are the predominant people around sex workers, violence increases.
When you live in a dangerous environment you become much more attuned to screening your customers. And yes, sex workers could give lessons to other women, but you have to consider the circumstances under which violence occurs.
Posted by: dudette on 3:17pm Sat 27 Oct 07
If prostitutes supposedly learn how discern rapist men from non-rapist men and prostitutes are still the are the most raped women in the world, what does that tell you?
The average street prostitute is raped 33 times a year according to one much-cited study. That's a real **** of a learning curve, Mike. There is zero learning curve for prostitutes discerning murderous johns from non-murderous johns, it's too late from the very first "Aha! This one's going to kill me."
Why are legal brothels built with "panic buttons" if legalization allows time for the screening-out of violent johns?
What you're saying is that Good men like you magnanimously stuffing your Good penises in and out of prostituted women's mouths, rectums, or vaginas is actually a pro-woman, pro-feminist act of kindness because <i>at least</i> you're so Good you won't rape or choke or punch the poor woman you're jamming your penis in and out of until you ****. Such a paragon of ethics you are.
If prostitutes supposedly learn how discern rapist men from non-rapist men and prostitutes are still the are the most raped women in the world, what does that tell you?
The average street prostitute is raped 33 times a year according to one much-cited study. That's a real **** of a learning curve, Mike. There is zero learning curve for prostitutes discerning murderous johns from non-murderous johns, it's too late from the very first "Aha! This one's going to kill me."
Why are legal brothels built with "panic buttons" if legalization allows time for the screening-out of violent johns?
What you're saying is that Good men like you magnanimously stuffing your Good penises in and out of prostituted women's mouths, rectums, or vaginas is actually a pro-woman, pro-feminist act of kindness because <i>at least</i> you're so Good you won't rape or choke or punch the poor woman you're jamming your penis in and out of until you ****. Such a paragon of ethics you are.
Posted by: S. Locke, USA on 5:30pm Tue 30 Oct 07
The fact that the survey was carried about by an activist organization, The Scottish Coalition Against Sexual Exploitation, and not by a respected, independent research organization, means that the results cannot be accepted as scientific. No indication is given in the article about how the men who participated in the survey were contacted, and it was absolutely NOT a Representative Sample. In addition, the fact that Melissa Farley (a well-known anti-prostitution activist) was the source of the survey, should also raise alarm bells. From the standpoint of sound social science research, this survey is complete rubbish, and it would be unfortunate if government policy were influenced by it.
The fact that the survey was carried about by an activist organization, The Scottish Coalition Against Sexual Exploitation, and not by a respected, independent research organization, means that the results cannot be accepted as scientific. No indication is given in the article about how the men who participated in the survey were contacted, and it was absolutely NOT a Representative Sample. In addition, the fact that Melissa Farley (a well-known anti-prostitution activist) was the source of the survey, should also raise alarm bells. From the standpoint of sound social science research, this survey is complete rubbish, and it would be unfortunate if government policy were influenced by it.
Posted by: Cadiz on 2:18am Thu 1 Nov 07
[quote]Well done Michelle you have now argued for men to be put on the sex offenders register for thinking.[/quote]
It is the nature of the thing that is the danger to children, so you are right.
In a way, it is because of the way some men think, that they belong on a register for sex offenders.
It is reasonable profiling, if one in a thousand men who used **** web-sites called the FBI re: juveniles, commercial exploitation would be impossible.
That one in a thousand guys person doesn't usually exist and that is a survey that has solidly been established as the real world.
Kerb-crawlers deserve to be viewed as sex-offenders, because they are.
Well done Michelle you have now argued for men to be put on the sex offenders register for thinking.
It is the nature of the thing that is the danger to children, so you are right.
In a way, it is because of the way some men think, that they belong on a register for sex offenders.
It is reasonable profiling, if one in a thousand men who used **** web-sites called the FBI re: juveniles, commercial exploitation would be impossible.
That one in a thousand guys person doesn't usually exist and that is a survey that has solidly been established as the real world.
Kerb-crawlers deserve to be viewed as sex-offenders, because they are.
Posted by: Cadiz, Ireland on 2:29am Thu 1 Nov 07
[quote]The Scottish Coalition Against Sexual Exploitation, and not by a respected, independent research organization,[/quote]
What is not respected about them?
The deal is this, men who buy sex are quite legitimately viewed as sex offenders by a great many folks. Look at all the brothels & strip clubs using 15 year old girls!
How many clients called the police? There you have it, the clients were sexually deviant and a danger to any child relying on them. They all belong on LIST 99.
Do you know any parents who would like their teacher to be working part-time as a pimp or brothel-keeper?
That really is the way it has went in Europe. Teachers running brothels with themed schoolgirl nights for other teachers etc. Some even argue it protects children!
The best way to discover a child-prostitution hub in Latvia or Czech Republic is to follow the Brits, they get there before the Germans.
The UK, needs to clean up its act, it has far too brothels, it had at least until recently, the highest rate of child pornography use outside of Japan.
The Scottish Coalition Against Sexual Exploitation, and not by a respected, independent research organization,
What is not respected about them?
The deal is this, men who buy sex are quite legitimately viewed as sex offenders by a great many folks. Look at all the brothels & strip clubs using 15 year old girls!
How many clients called the police? There you have it, the clients were sexually deviant and a danger to any child relying on them. They all belong on LIST 99.
Do you know any parents who would like their teacher to be working part-time as a pimp or brothel-keeper?
That really is the way it has went in Europe. Teachers running brothels with themed schoolgirl nights for other teachers etc. Some even argue it protects children!
The best way to discover a child-prostitution hub in Latvia or Czech Republic is to follow the Brits, they get there before the Germans.
The UK, needs to clean up its act, it has far too brothels, it had at least until recently, the highest rate of child pornography use outside of Japan.
Posted by: Donald B. on 8:20am Tue 6 Nov 07
a survey about prositution and pornography carried out by Melissa Farley has the same credibility as a research about jews carried out by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad(the president of Iran)
http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Melissa_Far
ley
http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Andrea_Dwor
kin
a survey about prositution and pornography carried out by Melissa Farley has the same credibility as a research about jews carried out by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad(the president of Iran)
http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Melissa_Far
ley
http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Andrea_Dwor
kin
Posted by: Stop and think on 6:48pm Tue 25 Dec 07
I suppose that pick pockets would abstain from theiving if they were liable to be registered as sex offenders .... [bold]that would not make a fair punishment.[/bold]
The appropriate response to prostitution is to ensure prostitutes recieve the protection of the law against assault, extortion and intimidation. The reason why prostitutes are vulnerable is that they are defacto outlaws.
I suppose that pick pockets would abstain from theiving if they were liable to be registered as sex offenders ....
that would not make a fair punishment.
The appropriate response to prostitution is to ensure prostitutes recieve the protection of the law against assault, extortion and intimidation. The reason why prostitutes are vulnerable is that they are defacto outlaws.
Posted by: Stephen Paterson, Colwyn Bay, Wales on 3:19pm Mon 28 Apr 08
The survey here and similar surveys elsewhere need to be seen in the context of the process of "pathologisation" used to garnish ostensibly credible argument for the introduction of criminalising a class of people, in this case clients of prostitutes.
What is the essential message? 88% ostensibly wouldn't patronise prostitutes if they were put on the Sex Offenders Register. Fine. So how many vicars would go to church if it meant being put on the SO Register?
Scotland has already seen a major escalation in the numbers of street prostitutes assaulted as a result of being driven into back alleys from well-lit streets to work as a result of Scotland's perpetration of English kerb crawling laws (unknown in Europe outside the UK and Ireland). Yet Farley + Co want to push prostitution even further underground, ironically supposedly to prevent violence to women.
It was John Ford who said "History teaches us that man learns nothing from history." But it's Melissa Farley who teaches us that women don't, either.
The survey here and similar surveys elsewhere need to be seen in the context of the process of "pathologisation" used to garnish ostensibly credible argument for the introduction of criminalising a class of people, in this case clients of prostitutes.
What is the essential message? 88% ostensibly wouldn't patronise prostitutes if they were put on the Sex Offenders Register. Fine. So how many vicars would go to church if it meant being put on the SO Register?
Scotland has already seen a major escalation in the numbers of street prostitutes assaulted as a result of being driven into back alleys from well-lit streets to work as a result of Scotland's perpetration of English kerb crawling laws (unknown in Europe outside the UK and Ireland). Yet Farley + Co want to push prostitution even further underground, ironically supposedly to prevent violence to women.
It was John Ford who said "History teaches us that man learns nothing from history." But it's Melissa Farley who teaches us that women don't, either.
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