Charities call for total ban on sex clubs

Charities are calling for a complete b lock on lap dancing bars and sex clubs in Perth and Kinross.

A crucial vote next week will decide whether or not sexual entertainment venues ( SEVs) will be allowed to open anywhere in the area.

Although the region has no such establishments, it will be a chance for council chiefs to set down licensing regulations and limit the number of premises.

Local charities concerned with violence against women are now urging Perth and Kinross Council to set that limit at zero.

The Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre Perth and Kinross (RASAC P&K) and the area’s Violence Against Women Partnership took part in a consultation on the proposed licensing change which showed a majority (67%) wanted no such clubs at all.

The groups, which are involved in Perth’s annual Rec la im the N ight demonstrations, fear it could send out a troubling message and lead to an increase in crime.

A spokeswoman for RASAC P&K said these venues were a form of sexual exploitation and violence against women. “We would support the capped number to be at naught in line with a zero tolerance to such offences,” she said. “We consider that anything more than this would legitimise this form of exploitation.”

She added: “To allow an SEV to operate in our community would directly contradict and challenge Equally Safe, Scotland’s strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls where it clearly defines such activities as a form of violence against women.

“An SEV would normalise and even promote the idea that women’s bodies are a commodity.

“The licensing of these venues would also negatively impact on Perth and Kin ross as a community. Research indicates a link between SEVs and organised crime –including human trafficking and prostitution – an increase in other forms of both violent and non-violent crime, anti-social behaviour and also links to a reduction in the public’s sense of safety.”

A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Violence Against Women Partnership said: “Not to require SEVs to be licensed and not to set the number of licences at zero would effectively be supporting violence against women.

“To allow establishment of SEVs in Per th and Kinross would, on the contrary, be a very visible statement of support of behaviour which exploits and disrespects women.”

It is not the first time Perth and Kinross Council has had to step in over sexual exploitation claims.

Council officers had demanded that tanning salon Sun Shack remove or cover up its window display of bikini-clad women. Faced with enforcement action, bosses decided to close the shop.

WORD ON THE STREET: A Reclaim the Night demonstration in the centre of Perth.