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Author Topic: Help stop the prosecution of Sheila Farmer  (Read 6122 times)

amy

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Help stop the prosecution of Sheila Farmer
« on: 06 May 2011, 11:00:10 pm »
From the ECP:

'Dear Friends, Ms Sheila Farmer is facing a trial starting Monday 6 June at Croydon Crown Court. Please can you urgently write to the addresses below.  Thank you.

Action Alert! Stop this prosecution. Safety must be the priority.

Ms Sheila Farmer has been a diabetic since childhood and is seriously ill with a malignant brain tumour.  Yet she has been charged with managing a brothel and is facing an onerous trial and criminal record.  What is her crime?  She co-ordinated a work rota at a flat in Bromley, Kent, where women offered sexual services.

Ms Farmer used to work on her own but after only six months she was viciously attacked by a man who raped her repeatedly, tried to strangle her and kept her tied up for hours.  He was deported after an Old Bailey trial. Fearful of another attack, Ms Farmer vowed never to work alone. She has worked with friends for the past 17 years.  Ill health has forced her to cut down so she has taken on co-ordinating clients for other women. 

Ms Farmer says ?I believe strongly that women working as we were should be left alone. The laws are antiquated. I was earning money to pay for my cancer treatment. This moral crusade is making criminals out of women like me.?

Ms Farmer?s flat was raided by the police in August 2010.  Following complaints by some neighbours, police officers visited and saw there was no force or coercion.  To make things easier Ms Farmer agreed to move. Yet while she was in the process of moving she was arrested.  Her insulin was taken from her and she was only released from police custody after a doctor said that her health would be in serious danger if she were to be held any longer.

Ms Farmer has never coerced anyone into work.  On the contrary, she has taken great care to protect women from attack.  At personal risk, despite threats and retribution, she appeared as a witness in court to ensure the conviction of an armed gang that had attacked hundreds of working women in the south of England.

Ms Farmer is a mother trying to survive in harsh economic times. She only went into sex work because diabetes caused her to lose too much of her vision to keep her job as an IT consultant. Ms Farmer is struggling to survive two serious health conditions. Her consultant has written to the court: ?I am afraid the future is uncertain and one can almost guarantee that the tumour will grow and progress in the relatively near future.  If possible it would be medically justifiable to try and avoid any stress associated with any prolonged Court hearing.?

Not only does Ms Farmer face a prolonged trial, she faces up to seven years in prison.  Why is this prosecution being brought?

Please write to Kier Starmer, Director of Public Prosecutions and ask for the case to be dropped immediately.  privateoffice@cps.gsi.gov.uk

Copy to Jo Johnson MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA  Tel: 020 7219 7125  jo.johnson.mp@parliament.uk


The CPS should follow their own guidelines when prosecuting:

To prevent people leading or forcing others into prostitution.  But Ms Farmer was working with others consensually and independently.  There was no force, coercion, violence or trafficking.

The age of the prostitute and the position of those living off the earnings will clearly be relevant.  All were adults who knew their own minds.

To penalise those who organise prostitutes and make a living from their earnings.  Like millions of others, Ms Farmer ran a small private business, not a big exploitative company.  She is now having to rely on State benefits to survive.

Generally, the more serious the incident the more likely that a prosecution will be required.  The police established that no serious crime was taking place at the premises.

The laws which force sex workers to work in isolation and make us more vulnerable to attack must be abolished.  For safety?s sake, decriminalize.

English  Collective of Prostitutes, 020 7482 2486
ecp@prostitutescollective.net   www.prostitutescollective.net'


Every email matters - please take a few minutes to support Sheila and help stand up for our right to work safely.

RachelGivethBBW

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Re: Help stop the prosecution of Sheila Farmer
« Reply #1 on: 13 June 2011, 08:24:23 am »
Please get behind Sheila!  This is soooo important!!

I've gone on a little mini-mission in the last 72 hours trying to understand the law completely,  find out about others' working experiences

I believe this could be an opportunity for us to get changed the classification on what a brothel is (currently based on a classification given in 1931!!)

For those interested or who don't already know (because my jaw hit the ground when I read this) from the CPS website!!:

"A brothel is defined as a place where sexual activities are offered by more than one woman - whether payment is exchanged or not."

And in the 60s to add men:

"A place where lewd homosexual acts occur"

Anyone spot the MASSIVE problems with these classifications??  Especially with the new Equalities Act which now binds public authorities including the police...

Please can someone confirm what constitutes a lewd homosexual act for me by the way??  I'm wondering whether half the men in the UK owning homes just became brothel keepers and whether I need to register my strapon as a dangerous weapon??

I'm wondering whether we  have any bright spark lawyers/ soon to be law graduates amongst us?  I've got a couple of questions about the European  Court of Human Rights and the right to have safety at work, the right to not be held back in business/ opportunities (new law making it illegal to purchase sex services), the right to convene with others (especially those sharing the same characteristics), the right to not live in fear, the right to live free from discrimination and false stereotyping/stigma, the right to equal access to services without fear of persecution (police/being able to be honest with your gp without fear of stigma/judgement). 

Prostitution is legal in this country currently?  So the government kinda endorses that it's acceptable and a lawful exercise (even if they won't call it a profession)?  So according to the UN, all the barriers being put in our way should theoretically be against our Human Rights....as free thinking women where numerous examples can be found backing up our intelligence and ability to make informed and sometimes even wise decisions?  And this case against Sheila Farmer surely just highlights all of the above... including the background on why she worked with others!

I'd also be interested to know whether anyone thinks that the slowness in business at the mo has anything to do with the recent law change. And whether it seems to be making a difference to the types of calls you're getting - I've definitely had more dodgy ones recently... both in terms of sounding clients and clearly gangs trying to scope out how busy I am to rob me!

Big love

Peas
x
Rachel


elrond

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Re: Help stop the prosecution of Sheila Farmer
« Reply #2 on: 16 June 2011, 01:37:21 pm »
The law and brothels is constantly argued on the Punternet forum.  Yes what constitutes a brothel would almos make any place a brothel.

Human rights, with what passes for human rights.  Yesterday sex offenders, paedophiles, rapists can now appeal and be removed from the sex offenders list.

I am surprised that nobody has yet appealed to the courts on human rights.  It seems there are always groups  to support terrorists and criminals in their fight not to be extradited, but nobody to fight for a sex worker to have safe working conditions.   

RachelGivethBBW

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Re: Help stop the prosecution of Sheila Farmer
« Reply #3 on: 16 June 2011, 04:40:00 pm »
Actually elrond, it's something I'm already looking into extensively... ;)

If anyone is interested in getting involved (not in just changing the law but providing a radical, yet realistic win win solution for pretty much everyone) please PM me?

Let's face it, we can all sit around and wait another couple of hundred years for the people in politics (more interested in a winning a self perpuated media popularity contest) to decide what is best for us, or we can just get on and do it for ourselves.

Perhaps if someone just laid out for them how it could work, essentially do most of the hard work for them, and prove the benefits on multiple levels and remove much of the morality from the argument (since recent polls suggest the public really doesn't give a shit about what we do and certainly don't see it as a priority for the police)??

xx

elrond

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Re: Help stop the prosecution of Sheila Farmer
« Reply #4 on: 16 June 2011, 04:51:08 pm »
There have been many, including many on the board who have done very much what you want to do.  There are escorts I know who through their connections to Unions and Activism have laid it out to the politicians face to face .  It doesn't get very far, the antis are there fighting their side, and quite effectively.   There are the politicians who are moral, or want to look moral.   Even supportive politicians will still say 'the problem of prostitution' and exit strategies etc etc.


Now even as we chat, there is yet another look into trafficking and what laws should be changed concerning prostitution.   I read it in the Mail. This was announced a few days ago by Ian Duncan Smith, and it looks like a trafficking sex work rescue agency will be taking a lead role in this investigation.   I don't know the agency, but expect it will come down on the side of total criminalization as so many of these agencies do.

Whats missing is there is not this large ground swell of ladies out there (beg you pardon on this) on the street demonstrating and arguing with the politicians.

RachelGivethBBW

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Re: Help stop the prosecution of Sheila Farmer
« Reply #5 on: 16 June 2011, 05:34:58 pm »
I completely agree. :)  Well I don't agree with the need to demonstrate on the street actually...you can understand entirely why us girls might like a degree of anonymity, irrespective of our political points of view and desire to be heard.

But am looking at it from a different approach to arguing or trying to persuade politicians - many have already tried as you say.  In fact I'd be incredibly interested to speak with anyone interested or with any experience in this :)

xx

amy

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Re: Help stop the prosecution of Sheila Farmer
« Reply #6 on: 04 January 2012, 05:02:12 pm »
Sheila's case was heard today at Croydon Crown Court. All charges against her were dropped for lack of evidence.

Will post more when I get to some working broadband :).

EmilyJones

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Re: Help stop the prosecution of Sheila Farmer
« Reply #7 on: 04 January 2012, 06:30:13 pm »
Sheila's case was heard today at Croydon Crown Court. All charges against her were dropped for lack of evidence.

Will post more when I get to some working broadband :).

Thank !@*$ for that!

Looking forward to hearing more when you get home/a free moment. :D
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Liverbird

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Re: Help stop the prosecution of Sheila Farmer
« Reply #8 on: 04 January 2012, 07:32:52 pm »
Only just picked up this thread.

There lies justice... just a chink of light... and hope for all.
Can't begin to imagine what that lady has had to suffer, despite having to cope with her own ill health.
I salute you Sheila Farmer!
W.xx

amy

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Re: Help stop the prosecution of Sheila Farmer
« Reply #9 on: 07 January 2012, 05:35:09 pm »
Here is the statement from the English Collective of Prostitutes:

Sheila Farmer, a sex worker who worked with other women from premises for safety had charges of brothel-keeping dismissed today in Croydon Crown Court. She worked with other women since being viciously raped and attacked whilst working alone.

Ms Farmer left court with over 20 supporters delighted and relieved that she no longer faces a criminal conviction and possible prison sentence. Ms Farmer suffers from severe diabetes and a malignant brain tumour. Her doctor had provided evidence that an onerous and stressful trial would have exacerbated her condition.

Sheila Farmer who is available for interview commented:

    ?Whilst I?m relieved not to be facing trial I am angry that I was prosecuted. Will the person who made that decision now be held accountable for the 18 months of distress and upset I have suffered while waiting for this case to come to court? Safety and survival has always been my priority. Like hundreds of other women I was working to support my son and more recently to pay for cancer treatment. I would never have got through this ordeal without the English Collective of Prostitutes. Without campaigning we may not have got this result.?  Film of Ms Farmer here (starts at 6min).

Cari Mitchell, English Collective of Prostitutes commented:

    "Sheila Farmer?s bravery in publicly fighting these charges should be commended. She, like many other sex workers, should never have been forced to choose between safety and legality. Why is it legal to work alone but not with others? The prostitution laws are endangering women and should be abolished. Why are police wasting time and money prosecuting sex workers while rapists and racists go free?"

Ms Farmer?s trial was thrown out because of police and prosecution incompetence ? witnesses had not been asked to attend court and a key witness could not be found.  Ms Farmer has attended court six times and the case has been listed to start on two previous occasions.

How much public money has been squandered on this investigation and prosecution?  How many other investigations are being neglected as a result?

The conviction of two of Stephen Lawrence?s murderers reminds us once again that the priorities of police and prosecution fly in the face of public opinion. Why did it take 18 years to try and convict these dangerous criminals while sex workers who do no harm are quickly arrested and jailed? The ECP has received multiple reports of violent robberies by a gang of five men in East London. The only police action has been to threaten the victims with prosecution. Why are women who report violence arrested while their attackers are not pursued? 

Ms Farmer?s legal team requested figures on the number of attacks against sex workers to demonstrate the high level of violence they face when working alone and the need for protection. The Metropolitan police said that no such figures are gathered. Why not? How can prostitution law and policy be assessed if their impact on sex workers? safety and welfare is not known?

Ms Farmer was represented by solicitor Nigel Richardson, Hodge, Jones and Allen and barrister Anna Morris, Garden Court Chambers. Supporters in court included representatives from Women Against Rape, the Sex Worker Open University and X:talk.

Notes to editor

1.    The brothel-keeping laws used against Ms Farmer criminalise ?two or more prostitutes living together or sharing premises for work?. Along with the prostitution laws generally they undermine safety by preventing sex workers from working together for safety and deterring those who have suffered violence from reporting to the police for fear of arrest.

2.    The Association of Chief Police Officers recently suggested New Zealand-style decriminalisation which has improved sex workers? safety and rights.

3.    Prosecutions for brothel-keeping and other prostitution charges have risen since the 2002 Proceeds of Crime Act.[1]  Under that law, the police keep 50% of assets confiscated during raids and 25% from subsequent prosecutions, with the Crown Prosecution Service keeping another 25%. Concerns have been raised that this desire to profit is fuelling raids and arrests, distorting police priorities and encouraging police corruption.

[1]  Prosecutions for brothel-keeping rose from 3 in 2004, to 11 in 2005, to 39 in 2006, to 41 in 2007 (Answers to Lord Faulkner, Hansard 15 January 2009).



Sheila also had Comment Is Free in the Guardian yesterday - it's here if anybody wants to have a read and join in on the comments (I've got a couple in  :)).

MissThang

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Re: Help stop the prosecution of Sheila Farmer
« Reply #10 on: 08 January 2012, 01:24:13 am »
I feel very sorry for Sheila Farmer, she's had a hard life and a lot of bad luck, particularly health-wise, and I admire her bravery in speaking out about the prosecution and her circumstances.

This also makes me a bit 'conspiracy-theory', as the prosecution was dropped due to lack of evidence.

I wonder what would have happened if it had gone to trial. Had Sheila won, case law would have meant working as a collective was legalised. Had Sheila lost, the public backlash against jailing a woman in those circumstances would have been enormous, compared to say Ian Barnet (allegedly made ?5million from a string of Manchester brothels, had a pop at the judge, not a character that would inspire public sympathy)

I wonder if this was a tactical withdrawal by the prosecution?