The SAR&SVL claim that “wherever lap dance and strip clubs appear, womens quality of life deteriorates” and, “this actively damages women and girls living and working around lap-dancing clubs as well as the women working within them”. The third claim, “there is an established link between crime and sex establishments” could be the biggest untruth of them all.
The SAR&SVL’s full objection to the licensing of Leeds lap dancing clubs can be seen here:
http://supportafterrapeleeds.org.uk/object-to-the-renewal-of-leeds-lap-dancing-club-licenses/
Before I start with the defense I’d like to put on record that I have a lot of time for the job the SAR&SVL do. I have considerable sympathy for victims of rape and sexual violence and applaud the SAR&SVL for all the support they give.
However, I completely disagree with the claims they make in regard to lap dancing clubs, am disappointed they would use this evidence to try and put 200 people out of work and will now go on to counter their claims.
First of all the claim that the quality of life of the women deteriorates and lap dancing actively damages the lives of women working within them I believe to be absolutely to the contrary.
The majority of dancers I have worked with earn very good money from the job they do, leading to lifestyles they would never be able to lead without the money earned from lap dancing.
I strongly disagree the quality of life of a girl dressed in nice clothes, with designer handbags, a nice apartment, sports car and going on two or three holidays a year has deteriorated.
Many of the girls have used lap dancing to pay their way through University, done so comfortably and have now gone on to work in their chosen profession with no debt like other graduates in a similar position.
There are also lots of single mothers, working to provide a good quality of life for not only themselves but for their children
Evidence to support these claims comes from a Leeds University study by Teela Sanders and Dr Kate Hardy from the School of Sociology and Social Policy. Their 2012 study, commissioned by Leeds City Council themselves: The Regulatory Dance: Sexual Consumption in the Night Time Economy, found that, “Dancers identified a number of advantages and attractions. Key amongst these were flexibility and independence, instant remuneration, earning more than in other roles, keeping fit, and an opportunity to combine fun and work.
Most women interviewed for the study said they felt safe at work and were supported by managers when there was a dispute with a customer.
Despite being commissioned by Leeds City Council in anticipation of the 2012 licence renewal the study did not make it as evidence when the 2013 application came around. I presume this was because the study didn’t meet their premeditated requirements of it casting a bad light on the industry when in fact it achieved the opposite.
The study even noted regulations set by Leeds City Council as ‘good practice’ and the conclusion includes the concern that, “a ban would create a real opportunity to drive the industry underground, with unregulated venues putting on strip nights”
It appears girls are working in a very safe and secure working environment and their quality of life, and that of their closet family members, would only deteriorate if these clubs are closed down.
And this only takes into account the quality of life of the dancers. There are also the managers, bar staff, accounts staff and promotions staff to think about which also includes a high percentage of female staff relying on this income for their well being of themselves and their families.
The claim of an established link between crime and sex establishments is also completely to the contrary.
In my nine years working in and around the lap dancing industry I have witnessed very few incidences of crime or anti-social behavior. The clubs are normally frequented by middle age, professional males who enter the clubs in very small groups, if not alone, and spend more attention on the company they keep rather then the alcohol they consume.
This cannot be said of the nearby bars and nightclubs that encourage excessive drinking and attract large crowds who later spill out onto the streets displaying aggressive, anti-social behavior.
I suggest that women would walk with far more confidence along the Headrow late at night than they would in the areas occupied by the likes of Tiger Tiger and Oceana, yet I hear no objections to these venues from SAR&SVL or Leeds City Council. I would like to hear from a woman that feels unsafe walking past lap dancing clubs as to date I have never spoken to a female that does.
West Yorkshire Police made no objections to licences being granted to Wildcats, Deep Blue or Red Leopard.
My argument is backed up by the 2003 Licensing Act which states:
“there is no evidence to suggest that there are significant problems relating to other forms of disorder, anti-social behavior or public nuisance surrounding the operation of lap dancing clubs. Indeed, all evidence points to the contrary. For example, analysis of Birmingham police call out statistics reveal 14 incidents per lap dancing club as compared to 77 per conventional night club”
The Act, by Media and Sport house Commons Culture (p119) also states, “there is no evidence to suggest that lap dancing clubs create no go areas for women, or increase sex crimes” and also considers the conception, ‘lap dancing clubs create no go areas for women and increase crime’ to be a MYTH.
Unfortunately objectors such as Leeds City Council and SAR&SVL rely on the evidence of a 2003 study by Lileth and Eaves, Housing For Women a report with results that were completely flawed.
The study by the London based feminist charity which provide housing for vulnerable women including victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking claimed that instances and reports of rape were three times the national average in and around lap dancing clubs and that study in the London borough of Camden saw an increase in 50% of reports of rape after lap dancing clubs were opened in the area.
Despite these figures still being widely quoted, due to mathematical discrepancies, the authors of the study were forced to correct these figures to a 33% increase and the true figure is believed to be nearer 28%.
Although this number is still high the study also failed to take into account trends around London and the UK. Despite Camden having 2000 pubs and 129 licensed venues, of which only seven were lap dancing clubs, the rate of rape was found to be lower in comparison to other boroughs including Westminster and Islington and far less than Lambeth which had no such clubs!
http://www.scribd.com/doc/47185652/Green-Paper-Camden-Lilith-rape-stats
Many other objective studies support the fact that sexual entertainment venues do not lead to any increase in crime or sex crimes but my biggest problem is that none of the objections are directly linked to Leeds.
If the SAR&SVL claimed there was an increase in sex crimes in Leeds due to these clubs then maybe I may sympathise with their case, but they are simply using a flawed 2003 study from a London borough to support their unfounded feminist claims.
In nearly ten years I am yet to hear of a girl working within the club to be the victim of a sexual crime. I am also unaware of any instance in close proximity to any of the Leeds clubs. Although I’m aware that sexual violence goes largely unreported I believe that management and security would be made aware of such crimes.
Despite a large increase in the reporting of sex crimes in Leeds in 2013 this has been attributed to the number of claims made against Jimmy Saville and NOT the operation of Leeds seven Sexual Entertainment Venues. Remember, West Yorkshire Police made NO objections to the granting of licences to the lap dancing clubs of Leeds.
And if there was a genuine fear that the presence of clubs in Leeds led to an increase in rape and sexual violence then surely refusing licences to three clubs placed on busy, well-lit streets (Deep Blue, Wildcats and Red Leopard) and granting them to clubs underneath dark bridges or on quiet, dark, residential streets (Silks, Purple Door and Liberte) would increase the risk of these figures increasing.
I don’t believe there is a link between SEV’s and crime and believe the evidence and opinion I have provided is completely to the contrary. Lap dancing clubs provide a safe and comfortable environment for girls to work and the opportunity to IMPROVE the quality of life for themselves and their families.
Patron of the clubs very rarely cause nuisance or anti-social behavior and less so the more serious issues of rape and sexual violence. Evidence to suggest this is flawed and unsubstantiated and certainly not relevant to the city of Leeds.
I believe women are safe in and around lap dancing clubs and there is certainly no reason to but 200 people, mainly women, out of their jobs to uphold these misleading beliefs.
I would suggest that organsiations such as SAR&SVL should utilise their resources working WITH sexual entertainment venues and supporting the women who work in them rather than campaigning against them.
I urge anybody reading this to show their support for the women working in these clubs by signing the below petition and urge the MP’S and councilors to stop wasting tax payers money by trying to uphold these minority beliefs and moral crusade:
www.gopetition.com/petitions/dance.html
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