Sex workers tell judge of hardship caused by council ban on Edinburgh strip clubs

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Sex workers had their human rights violated by the council ban on strip clubs in Edinburgh, a judge was told. Lawyers for the union representing the strippers argued their case during a judicial review of the decision at the city’s Court of Session on Thursday.

The court heard the women were being discriminated against by the closure of their workplaces, which are set to take place in April.

Three of the strippers provided affidavits telling how they would not only lose jobs, but possibly their homes and relationships.Aidan O’Neill KC, representing owners of the capital’s four strip clubs, said the council had taken a “No Sex Please We’re British approach”.The United Sex Workers (USW) union claims a ban would interferes with dancers rights to respect for a private and family life under the European Convention of Human Rights.And David Welsh, acting for the USW, said some women may be forced into “underground sex work”, such as stripping at private parties which isn’t licensed.In March Edinburgh councillors voted to impose a “nil cap” policy for sex entertainment venues (SEVs).The cap effectively functions as an outright ban on strip clubs and was imposed after women’s groups claimed SEVs were breeding grounds for violence and toxic attitudes towards women.Did you know you can keep up to date with the latest news by signing up to our daily newsletter?We send a morning and lunchtime newsletter covering the latest headlines every day.We also send coronavirus updates at 5pm on weekdays, and a round up of the week's must-read stories on Sunday afternoons.Signing up is simple, easy and free.You can pop your email address into the sign up box above, hit Subscribe and we'll do the rest.Alternatively, you can sign up and check