Sign the online DEMAND CHANGE! petition here to help tackle the demand for prostitution.

The petition aims to tackle prostitution by adopting the ‘Nordic model’, which decriminalises those who sell sexual acts and supports them to exit prostitution, whilst at the same time criminalising those who purchase sexual acts.

Curbing the demand for prostitution is a vital step towards ending the exploitation and abuse experienced by the majority of people in prostitution.

Demand Change! is a joint campaign by EAVES and OBJECT.

The campaign aims to challenge society’s views of prostitution and calls for it to be seen as a form of violence against women. The campaign is to raise awareness as to the inequalities and injustice experienced by vunerable people led into a life of prostitution.

For more information visit www.demandchange.org.uk

It’s good news for all feminists out there who have campaigned long and hard for lads’ mags to be reviewed in the manner that they are marketed and stocked in shops.

MPs have stated that magazines featuring sexually explicit photographs should carry cinema style age ratings to warn the public about their content.

MPs Ann Widdecombe and Sir Menzies Campbell called on shopkeepers to get responsible and avoid placing lads’ mags with graphic content on the front covers in view of children and young adolescents, as they fear that those exposed to such material are not emotionally equipped to deal with it.

They have called for a review on the current guidelines for publications with sexually explicit content to consider whether they should be concealed in bags rather than placed on the top shelf of the newsagents.

The MPs have suggested that these sorts of publications should have a cinema style rating system. This would mean that pornography would carry an age rating of 18 years and publications containing topless images would carry an age rating of 15+ years.

Clause 13 of the Policing and Crime Bill 2009 is to be debated in the House of Lords on 3rd November 2009.

What is clause 13: Clause 13 of the Policing and Crime Bill 2009 contains a number of provisions regarding the sex industry.

Clause 13 criminalises the purchase of sexual services “from those controlled for gain”.

The main provisions contained within the Policing and Crime Bill 2009 –

- Creates a new offence of paying for sex with someone who is controlled for gain.

- New powers for the civil courts to make orders closing brothels.

- Modifies the law on soliciting and kerb-crawling.

- Tightens up the regulation of lap-dancing clubs by reclassifying them as ‘sex establishments’ rather than ‘entertainment’ venues. This gives local authority and residents a say in their community and will allow police forces to shut down clubs near inappropriate areas such as schools.

The purpose of Clause 13 is to discourage the demand to sexually exploit an individual by making it a criminal offence.

Why you should help: Your support is vital as this Clause 13 is at risk of being diluted or removed altogether.

How you can help: Please act now and email members of parliament urging them to support Clause 13 of the Policing and Crime Bill 2009. The link below will take you to the Parliament website listing all MP’s contacts.

http://www.parliament.uk/mpslordsandoffices/mps_and_lords/alms.cfm

For all of you out there who are concerned by how the media report stories of sexual abuse and/or rape and then decide that on the next page they should have a semi-naked woman in a sexually provocative pose (eg: the sun) then please feel free to add your name to the petition below that has been set up by Elizabeth Wilkinson.

 Good luck with your petition Elizabeth! You get my support! 

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/ModelsAndCrime/

Parents assume that when they drop their kids off at school they are safe from harm. Think again!

The documentary ’kids behaving badly’, revealed shocking and disturbing facts of what they call sexual bullying that takes place within our schools.

It was reported that in the 2006-2007 academic year, 3,500 school children were given fixed term exclusion for sexual misconduct. This behaviour included groping, using sexually insulting names, obscene graffiti and serious sexual attacks. More disturbingly was the fact that 260 of those children excluded were children in primary schools as young as five years old.

“We have seen a dramatic rise in sexual bullying. Certainly over the last four or five years on the Kidscape helpline we used to get maybe one or two calls a year about sexual bullying, but now we are getting two or three calls a week” – Michelle Elliott (KIDSCAPE)

“It’s really difficult for people generally to think about sexually harmful behaviour happening by young people towards young people in schools. But it is an issue, it is happening, and we need to acknowledge it and we need to respond to it. We’ve had a ten year old, who was forcing other children to perform sex acts on him, and performing sex acts on them. We’ve had much younger children who’ve been inappropriately touching each other” – Paula Telford (NSPCC)

So how do children of such a young age learn this behaviour?

I believe a number or bodies are to blame.

Firstly, the media. It influences the way we think, the decisions we make and how we perceive the world. But it is the content that they promote that I think is to blame. The media has made sex mainstream. We are bombarded with media containing sexual imagery and suggestive content. For example: In your local newsagents with their sexually explicit magazines and newspapers where women’s breasts grace the covers, the Internet where no material is off limits regardless of your age, billboards on the street with provocative and scantily dressed women, television with their sexed up ads and sex orientated shows and then there’s music videos with their sexually explicit lyrics and sex saturated videos to accompany. This material is accessible by us all. You don’t have to look for it, it looks for you. It’s this sort of material that kids grow up with and learn from. It’s how they form their personal beliefs, morals and values as to what is seen as acceptable in modern society.

Secondly, the government. The government is there to make and enforce rules and laws; yet where are the rules as to what is acceptable for viewing and where it is to be viewed?  They claim that there is a watershed on television to protect young children from content that may be deemed inappropriate for their age, yet there are endless programs and channels that are sex orientated from soaps to adult channels. What I find most shocking is the music videos that can be aired at any time of the day which have sexual suggestive lyrics with videos that are sexual in nature, usually of half dressed women gyrating and exposing themselves on-screen. Where are the restrictions that should be in place? People shouldn’t have to have sex thrown in their faces and children shouldn’t be exposed to it either, yet the government shies away from raising the issue as it is seen as controversial.

Finally, the Parents. Parents are supposed to protect their children. However, it seems that parents are oblivious to exactly what it is they are exposing their children to. Children are kitted out with the latest technology where sex is only a click away and they can access and share all sorts of material.

Then there’s the issue of clothing marketed and aimed at children that is provocative and is clearly unsuitable for a child to wear. Parents buy these clothes for their children as its “fashion”, despite the fact it makes them look like a sex object and encourages unwanted sexual behaviour from others.

So now I ask you…how do you think children of such a young age become perpetrators of sexual bullying?

Just bought my weekly newspaper, the Pontefract and Castleford Express, and what do I find gracing the front page…. “Heaven” Lap Dancing Club opening in Pontefract. (http://www.pontefractandcastlefordexpress.co.uk/news/Lap-dancing-bar-opening-in.4758040.jp)

Most of you have probably never heard of Pontefract, but it’s a small historic market town in West Yorkshire and it’s where I live and work. So can you imagine the shock I got when it was announced that Pontefract will be having a new resident…yes, the local lap dancing club.

I am absolutley disgusted and disappointed that such an establishment has been granted permission and a licence in Pontefract.

I think I speak for many residence that it is an outrage. We don’t want sleaze in our community thanks!

I still can’t get my head around how prostitution is illegal, whilst lap dancing clubs are legal. Because at the end of the day they are both the same thing. It’s women selling their bodies for sexual purposes.

But anyway, rant over, I am going to be writing to my local MP to complain and ask what her view is on the matter and her proposals. I am sure she will be getting plenty of complaints about the whole situation to keep her busy. So if any of you live in Pontefract and object to the establishment, I suggest you get pen and paper and start writing to the local MP.

Tory spokesman Michael Gove has slammed lads’ mags as the problem in today’s society for the lack of morals and responsibility when it comes to sex and the image of women.

 In his speech he attacked magazines such as Nuts and Zoo for promoting an image of sex as free and uncomplicated…

 “I believe we need to ask tough questions about the instant-hit hedonism   celebrated by the modern men’s magazines targeted at younger males.”

 “Titles such as Nuts and Zoo paint a picture of women as permanently, lasciviously, uncomplicatedly available. We should ask those who make profits out of revelling in or encouraging, selfish irresponsibility among young men what they think they’re doing.”

 “The images they use and project reinforce a very narrow conception of beauty and a shallow approach towards women.”

Hi,

Click the link for newsletter: Feb 08 news for you

Nikki xxx

Celebrated every year on 8^th March, International Women’s Day is very much a political time to reflect on the past struggles of women and their fight for equality. It is a global event celebrated in many different ways. Some choose it as a day to raise awareness or to campaign, whereas some choose it as a day to celebrate women.  

But even now women are still fighting for equality and to be recognized as equals to their male counterparts ie: wages and discrimination. 

No matter what way you want to recognise International Women’s Day. Make it count! 

If you’re interested in any of the events taking place across the UK, then click the link to find an event near you: http://www.internationalwomensday.com/events.asp 

Nikki xxx

The Ministry of Justice has produced a report investigating the links between pornography and how it affects behaviour and beliefs of those who are exposed to it.  

Report: http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/280907a.pdf

This document reports of the evidence of harm relating to exposure to extreme pornographic material. Extreme pornographic material was defined as ‘actual scenes or realistic depictions of: explicit intercourse or oral sex with an animal, explicit sexual interference with a human corpse, explicit serious violence in a sexual context and explicit serious sexual violence’. The rapid evidence assessment addressed three research questions:

1.       What effects does viewing extreme pornographic material have on those adults who access it?

2.       In particular is there any evidence that it causes or contributes to sexual or violent offending?

3.       Is there any evidence that those adults who participate in making extreme pornographic material are harmed by their involvement?

Thought it might make an interesting read.

Nikki xxx

Hi there,

Every month I will be creating a newsletter with latest news from the UK and worldwide to do with the sex industry, sex culture and porn industry.

Click link for newsletter: Jan 08 news for you

Nikki xxx

Due for publishing in the UK very soon, this book centres on the issue of how the sex saturated world we live in is harming young girls and their development into womanhood. It takes a serious look at how the sex industry, media and celebrities are pressuring girls to behave and be seen in a sexualized way, where, looks, sex appeal and fame is everything.

It seems that been a porn star or glamour model is in, and intelligence is out.

Should make an interesting read.

Nikki xxx

The facts: 

-          Only 1 in 20 rapes end in a conviction

-          80% of rapes are never reported

-          1 in 4 women have experienced rape or attempted rape

-          There were 85,000 women raped in UK last year. That’s approx 230 cases everyday. 

In today’s’ society most men, especially young horny sex driven lads have the attitude that rape is nothing more than just sex. Their attitude towards rape victims is, ‘it’s just sex, get over it”. What the hell makes any man think he has the right to force someone in to having sex with them? Rape is the violation and degradation of another! Yet it is becoming increasingly common and the offenders are getting away with it every time. Why? Is it the sexist society we live in? Is it the prejudice views of the ignorant? Or has the so called justice system gone completely tits up!

When it comes to rape, I have found that there is a lot of victim blaming. One third of people blame the woman for been raped if she has been flirtatious. One quarter of people blame the woman for been raped if she has been drinking or dressed provocatively. These sort of people do my head in. They are trying to justify why some sicko did what he did. The victim has already been traumatised enough without been told she’s responsible for what has happened to her. Those innocent women have to live the rest of their lifes with the memory of what happened to them, whilst the offender gets a way a free man with the chance to do it again. Why isn’t the government doing anything? Their should be more support and help for the victims of rape, and more convictions of the sickos who do the crime. My honest opinion is that those sorts of blokes should have their knobs chopped off! Those sort of low lifes don’t have any respect for women at all, and frankly I have no respect for them.

Films depicting violent sex acts have now become the new form of entertainment where women are abused, raped and tortured. Critics have dubbed these films as “torture porn”. The sick people who like to glorify such brutal acts are people like Quentin Tarantino, who is notorious for his very graphic and macabre “work”. He shows such scenes as entertainment and stands by his creation, stating how proud he is of his work. RAPE, TORTURE and VIOLENCE towards a woman is nothing to be proud of! Even if it’s acted out in the film, and not really happening, in reality it happens every second of the day to innocent women.

Domestic Violence

Marks and Spencers are considering removing The Daily Star newspaper from their shops if more customers complain. To help make this happen, contact Marks and Spencers either by letter or email. Marks and Spencers have already removed lads’ mags due to numerous complaints from customers and pressure groups such as Object. Please help this be a success and contact M&S to complain!  

Post – Matt Rogers
Chair & Chief Executive’s Office
Retail Customer Services
Chester Business Park
Wrexham Rd
Chester
CJ4 9GA 

Telephone – 0845 302 1234 

M&S complaint form– http://www.marksandspencer.com/gp/contact/actions/subject-form-actions.html/026-6243150-6722827?ie=UTF8&mnSBrand=core 

Nikki xxx

Hi there, 

Just letting you know that Object have set up a petition which will go straight to the Prime Minister about the normalisation of the porn and sex industry. 

Sign the petition to show your support!!!  Email the link to friends/family who may be interested!!!  

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Pornography/  

Nikki xxx

Hi there,  

Sorry it’s been a while since I last posted a message, I have been really busy with college work. But once again I am spurred into action by the latest news I have received.  

I received a flyer the other day from my dentist, advertising pole dancing as a “fitness activity” at the local leisure complex with pics of a scantily clad woman showing her moves.

I was shocked to think that a leisure complex open to the public and popular amongst the young would have such a thing happening, nevermind my dentist advertising it. It was only a few years ago pole dancing would only be found in back alley strip joints for pervy old men to go to watch some bimbo get her kit off and swing round a pole, but now its advertised as the latest trend that every women has to do!

Well sorry but no! I personally would not find it empowering to be seen as nothing more than a sex object. I would not find it liberating to be only found useful for a man’s personal gratification. I certainly don’t think it’s sexy to be seen as nothing more than legs, breast and ass.  

This advert shows how normal and mainstreamed the sex and porn industry is!!!!   

Nikki xxx

The East Midland Fems are holding a demo outside WHSmith in Leicester on Saturday 21st April. They want WHSmith to get responsible and stop selling lads’ mags.

For more info email: emfems@hotmail.co.uk you can also find their site in the links section!

Nikki xxx

Concerned mother of two, Jeanet Price, finally got Asda in Kendal to move their lads mags such as Zoo, Nuts, FHM and Maxim (all of which feature semi-naked women on the front covers) to top shelf after god knows how long of complaining.

The news has being well received by feminist groups as well as concerned mothers and members of the public!

For more details see news article below by selecting the link!

News article – http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/newsgazette/display.var.1311710.0.store_agrees_to_move_lads_mags.php

As you may already be aware, sex education has been under the spotlight over the past few months due to increasing high rates of teenage pregnancy, under age sex and Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI’s) amongst teens in the UK.  Most blame the parents for letting feelings of embarrassment or taboo get in the way of educating their children on the way of the birds and the bees, which to a point I agree with, however lads’ mags becoming a good source of sex education??? OFSTED has stated that lads’ mags are a good source of sex education for kids. Let’s discuss this shall we?  

How the hell are lads’ mags educational in terms of sex?   

1)       Lads mags displays women as sex objects to be rated and ogled at by men

2)       They refer to women as whores/tarts/slappers/slags

3)       They claim that women fantasise about being raped -  Maxim

4)       They list and detail violent sex acts against women and how to get your girlfriend to take part – Zoo’s dictionary of porn

5)       They do not emphasise on the emotional side of sexual relationships but the physical side. They don’t even promote relationships, they promote going out with your mates getting some poor lass drunk and having a good shag!

6)       Women are dehumanised to nothing more than breasts, ass and legs 

Does that sound educational in terms of sex to you?  

The purpose of lads’ mags…masturbation! What they promote…women for sexual purposes!  

Lads’ mags are porn! They exploit women! They are sexist, homophobic and down right obscene!   

How are they educational?????   

Get complaining by emailing OFSTED – enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk 

Nikki xxx

Hi there,

Just posting the 2006 annual mag sales and as you can see from the stats, the sales of lads’ mags are in decline, with the monthly lads mags ie: FHM, Loaded and Maxim the worst hit!!!

 Nikki xxx

                 Jan – June 2006              July – Dec 2006

FHM               Down 25%                         Down 26%

Loaded          Down 22%                         Down 30%

Maxim           Down 35%                         Down 29%

Zoo                Down 19%                         Down 4%

Nuts               Down 12%                         Down 21%

Hi there,

Just letting you know that the 10 Down Street website (http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/) allows petitions to be made online which can be signed by the public and then sent to the prime minister who will give you a response. A handy way to get a majority vote from across UK.

I hope to be setting up a petition on the site asking that the government make it compulsory that all retailers/newsagents/stores that sell pornographic magazines and lads’ mags, stock them on top shelf, wrapped and covered so only the title is visible and that they are all age restricted.

Nikki xxx

Whilst checking out what’s happening in the world on yahoo news, I found an article about the UK’s biggest teacher’s union attacking stores such as Tesco and Asda, claiming they are pressuring kids to grow up too quick. Intrigued I decided to read it. You can read the report too by selecting “news articles” found at the top of the page. Be warned especially if your a parent, the report may shock you or anger you at how irresponsible these stores are, or if your anything like me and know what our society is like, then you won’t be at all surprised.

In my opinion the stores aren’t just  pressurising kids to grow up quick, they are also sexualising them, I mean come on, selling push up bras for 9 year old girls and pole dancing kits! What’s next??

Nikki xxx

Fed up of walking into your local high street retailer or newsagents and getting a face full of tits and ass… well complain. Check out the “what you can do section…” and open the word document for contact details to complain to your local high street retailer, asking why they sell such pornographic material ie: lads’ mags (FHM, Zoo, Nuts, Loaded, etc…) that are not on top shelf, not age restricted and not covered.

Or even better why not complain to the pervs in charge of the mags and newspapers. Might not get anywhere but it’s worth a try.

PS- See also model letter from Object (with a few tweaks by me) that you can send to local retailer to complain. Really hard hitting and straight to the point!!! It’s also editable!!!

Nikki xxx