53 Comments

It is a wonderfully logical, reasonable evisceration.

Expand full comment

Great reply from Jane. I am still reeling from the fact that I who had been a supporter of Amnesty for 35 years did not realise the degradation of their collaboration from 2015 with pimps. How did I not see this happen???

Expand full comment

I cancelled my long-standing subscription to Amnesty after reading their statement claiming puberty blockers were harmless. Wrote saying I was appalled at their stance. They never replied.

Expand full comment

You could have only realized these things by reading radical feminist websites such as Feminist Current. Amnesty certainly doesn't advertise their obnoxious collaborations.

Expand full comment

I still blame myself for being taken in by the sex work is work nonsense. I thought it was being respectful and empowering ....

Expand full comment

Shirley, may I kindly ask of you could direct me to some trusted reading material here? This exact argument came up in my sphere recently and I was a bit stuck for words. I'm new to this debate so doing my 10,000 hrs 😶

Expand full comment

Julie Bindel wrote "The Pimping of Prostitution:

Abolishing the Sex Work Myth." which is a well researched read.

For casual conversations, bring up the analogy of the gambling industry - although there may be a few happy winners, it's only the house that's ensured a win, and the majority of the cost is borne by the smaller players.

The commodification of bodies has real world impacts outside of prostitution also.

The monetary benefits of human trafficking and exploitation should not have to be pointed out to anyone giving this issue more than a fleeting thought.

Expand full comment

Thank you for taking the time to add comment too. There aren't enough hours in the day for this shizz

Expand full comment

Try checking out Feminist Current and looking for old articles about prostitution. Meghan posted articles from all over the world. If that doesn't work for you, I'll do some sniffing around.

Expand full comment

Many thanks xx

Expand full comment

It might be worth expanding your search a little to also look at the recent histories of some major international charities and the 'professionalisation' of the third sector over the past two or three decades. There have been many investigations into what their founding principles are, their income, and how far they drifted to become 'professional' money-making machines. And aligned with political motivations.

Women's rights, poverty and 'sex-work' became a blurred area and direction a few went in, like in warzones, disaster or emergency responses. Many of their officials have been responsible for the direct abuse of marginalised and vulnerable women. They often fob that off with 'it's a local/regional/country-specific/isolated issue we were unaware of'. It nearly sunk a few and affected their brands (quite rightly).

Expand full comment

Sorry not to have replied - to preserve my sanity and meet family obligations I have had to put limits on my phone so I can't spend too much time online so didn't see your question! Will look at what others have suggested and add if I can.

Expand full comment

Oh no need I have loads! Thank you so much for responding

Expand full comment
Comment deleted
February 7, 2022
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

Fantastic, thank you

Expand full comment

I would only say sex work is work when people suggest that it's a lazy way to earn a living, and there are people who suggest that. Don't blame yourself, you have been open to learning! And it can be very difficult to find good information to learn!

Expand full comment

I can across a great quote ...."its difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends on him not understanding it"

Expand full comment

Yes. There’s a few women having that trouble too.

Expand full comment

Upton Sinclair.

Expand full comment

The brilliant Jane Harris strikes again! Well and truly skewered.👏👏👏

Expand full comment

Am Nasty International

Expand full comment

That's a good one, love the snark

Expand full comment

Wow! Jane totally nailed it! I am just appalled by those coming up with the ‘it will never happen’ sorts of statements. How can anyone with half a brain think that? Of course it is happening. Predators will do anything to have their perverted needs met. And the victims are almost always Women and Children. Its so obvious! Why have they not learned from the all too recent past? Mind boggling!

Expand full comment

Because they don't give a damn. Everyone repeatedly will tell you "how much they care." I have no interest in their "caring" words, only their actions.

Expand full comment

He's good at baking. That's the best you could say for the head of Amnesty Ireland.

Expand full comment

Are you sure? Some of the things he says come across as half-baked to me...

Expand full comment

Ha!

Expand full comment

Brilliant! :)

Expand full comment

Well as Dylan McGrath said from his time on Masterchef ...well he can follow a recipe

Expand full comment

He's a recipe for disaster

Expand full comment

Passive compliance. Is there anything more despicable? I like JFK’s version of Dante’s observation: “the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in a time of moral crisis preserve their neutrality.”

Expand full comment

I'm thinking Sweden here! I know no one said these men are complicit in child sex abuse, but if you support transgenderism and its various paraphilias I think you are complicit in child sex abuse. Come and get me, Colm!

Expand full comment

I did a standing ovation in my living room after reading your reply. Brilliant.

Expand full comment

Solidarity for Jane. And yes if you have a donation to Amnesty Ireland or UK who are no better (happily sending people to demonstrate against women discussing violence against women at the Filia conference at Portsmouth )- PLEASE CANCEL IT NOW.

Expand full comment

Ha - I love it that Jane was enjoying the replies 😁

Expand full comment

I liked that too ☺️

Expand full comment

Made my day, reading this! Wonderful response, surely he has to reply to this?

Expand full comment

*crickets*

Expand full comment

He was so smug with his reply - she chewed him up and spat him out

Expand full comment

Bravo Jane!

Expand full comment

Dr. Harris taking out the trash is a sight to behold.

Expand full comment

*Drop the mic* big style. Well done to Jane for this FANTASTIC response.

Expand full comment