Chair of Bristol Women’s Commission speaks out about proposed strip club ban

The chair of Bristol Women’s Commission (BWC) has argued strip clubs perpetuate a “dangerous power dynamic” and increase the risk of gender-based violence.

Penny Gane urged councillors to support proposals for a nil-cap on sexual entertainment venues (SEVs) in a recent letter, saying the council should not be sanctioning the sexual objectification of women in this way.

If approved, the ban would see the closure of Urban Tiger on Broad Quay and Central Chambers on St Stephen’s Street and put dozens of mostly female jobs at risk.

The move has been met with fierce opposition from those who rely on SEVs for employment, with one dancer accusing Gane of misogyny, saying that “closing down safe workplaces for women is an act of violence in itself”.

Strippers have spoken out against the proposed ban that could see them lose their jobs – photo by Martin Booth

BWC is calling for Bristol to become the biggest city in the UK to introduce a nil-cap, arguing this would be a clear step towards addressing harmful attitudes that lead to gender-based violence as part of wider work around the issue.

In the letter, Gane says: “Bristol City Council has previously issued licences to up to three SEVs in Bristol – we do not believe that the council should be sanctioning the sexual objectification of women in this way; not only is it in breach of its commitments under the [European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life] but is in direct conflict with the wider work to tackle gender-based violence.”

She states the position is supported by other prominent women’s organisations in the city, including Bristol Women’s Voice and those providing support to survivors of sexual and domestic violence. It also has the support of the city’s three women MPs and the mayor.

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The letter adds: “The council has a duty to make the city more equal and safe for all women; it cannot prioritise the choice of a small number of women who are paid to be objectified by men over the majority of women who do not choose this.”

In an interview with Bristol24/7, Amelie, a dancer at Urban Tiger and member of the Bristol Sex Workers Collective, argued the policy would be “discriminatory and sexist” and one that risks putting women at greater risk.

Amelie wants to see the industry destigmatised. “Regardless of what people’s opinions are on sex work, we want to remind people that this is first and foremost a workers rights issue,” she said.

As sex workers and dancers, we are workers and as workers, we deserve to be safe at work. All the nil cap will do is push women into more dangerous positions, or more precarious employment or unemployment.”

BWC maintains it is an industry that “profits from and contributes to gender inequality” and fails to provide secure employment or workers rights.

BWC is a council-funded mayoral commission tasked with working to tackle gender inequality. The group states there is no evidence that banning strip clubs forces them underground, saying licensing officers at Bristol contacted other core cities and questioned the national policy forum.

Representatives of the commission say the presence of regulated clubs normalises sexual objectification and increases demand, citing a report that found men who are sex buyers have worse attitudes to women and gender equality, and a greater tendency towards violence.

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Members of Bristol Sex Workers Collective have hit back at claims strip clubs lack basic employment rights, arguing the work offers the flexibility they need and the fee they pay is the equivalent to how many self-employed people operate, including hairdressers and personal trainers.

They have also obtained figures from Swansea, Exeter, Chester and Old Market in Bristol – in each of which, strip clubs have closed in the last ten years. The statistics from police suggest the move had no impact on crime or violence against women in their vicinities.

Speaking this week, Amelie said the arguments against strip clubs are shifting the blame away from men and putting the responsibility onto women.

“Where does their logic stop and how much more should women censor themselves to prevent being assaulted by a man?” asked Amelie.

“I could also argue that violence against women increases significantly after football games.

“During the 2018 World Cup, domestic abuse increased by 38 per cent when England lost and 28 per cent when England won. Yet no one is suggesting football should be banned because of it.”

The new draft policy proposing a nil cap on SEVs in Bristol is due to go to public consultation this summer. The council’s licensing committee will then make a final decision on whether or not to implement it.

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read more: Dancer speaks out about proposed strip club ban in Bristol