the term prostitute?

[Mirror]

Hi Mirror. Is your job down on the DBS certificate because it's on your tax return, or because you've had dealings with them in any way do you know?

I have had dealings with them, they have helped when a punter was harassing me, as well as an armed robbery (also punter/client). I did have Escort on my tax return, but I believe it was my dealings with them. During an investigation they asked me to prove I paid tax, and what I put on the tax return. For that reason I don't think they has access to my tax return, this was however 12 years ago.

[Karena]

That's shocking Mirror that they asked if you paid tax, as if that was relevant to whether they would go after the culprits or not; no wonder many of these scumbags walk around with impunity. Although it's better nowadays I think. The DBS thing is a worry but I don't wanna take the thread off topic. 

[RedH]

Karena

This is just a question to you and anyone it may apply to,  If you are asked what you do (as in for a living/job) by anyone you may meet in any situation, do you say it "I am a prostitute"

I never have even though it's what I am.

If some random person asked me what I do for a living I would give them my regular civy 9-5 job. I don’t openly talk about the fact that I do this work. But if someone already knew what I do asked me to put a label on it I would say I’m a prostitute or an escort or a sex worker. To me they are all interchangeable. I don’t feel any more or less of a sense of shame or embarrassment using one term or the other.

[Karena]

Sorry to come back to this but I think it's important that people know.

I was worried about this DBS thing and so was my friend who's reported a robber in the past who attacked her whilst working (he was caught, publicly named and shamed, and prosecuted). She contacted the police who were in charge of her case and they have assured her - and also contacted the DBS department for clarification -  that no mention of sex work would ever be disclosed on a DBS certificate if a person has reported a crime against them.  It's only the person's convictions that go on the DBS certificate, and no mention of escort work should ever be included.

The officer in charge of my friend's case says (And I've read the email myself) that under no way, shape or form would a victim of any offence have this disclosed as part of DBS checks.

It's good that the DBS comes to you first so you can double check before it goes anywhere else - and if the sex work thing ever did come up on it, then you should be able to get it removed. 

[Lolaloha]

Reclaim the term ‘prostitute’ as our own  - it’s used to insult us, but I love calling myself a prostitute  - the word is only offensive if you let it be offensive to you

[Vintage Miss]

I have mixed feelings. It has been a bit bogged down with negative associations because  people have used it as a byword for having been compromised in some way, like "I don't want to prostitute myself to my company". But as others have said, I see nothing wrong with being a prostitute so really, I should see nothing wrong with the term or need to feel I have to use euphemisms to make other people feel less uncomfortable, because of ignorance/judgement. I guess avoiding the term is just a habit for me.

When I started I used 'working girl' because that was the go to term at the time among the rank and file, which ages me  ; now I switch between escort, companion or sex worker, depending on the context. 

[Serendipitydo]

Reclaim the term ‘prostitute’ as our own  - it’s used to insult us, but I love calling myself a prostitute  - the word is only offensive if you let it be offensive to you

That's a beautiful thing to say and I have lived and breathed your philosophy.

 if only I was able to be anonymous. I can only hope that our life becomes more accepted.

Why is there such a double standard?

Gay men who do this are celebrated yet women are vilified.

[MissBetty]

Sorry to come back to this but I think it's important that people know.

I was worried about this DBS thing and so was my friend who's reported a robber in the past who attacked her whilst working (he was caught, publicly named and shamed, and prosecuted). She contacted the police who were in charge of her case and they have assured her - and also contacted the DBS department for clarification -  that no mention of sex work would ever be disclosed on a DBS certificate if a person has reported a crime against them.  It's only the person's convictions that go on the DBS certificate, and no mention of escort work should ever be included.

The officer in charge of my friend's case says (And I've read the email myself) that under no way, shape or form would a victim of any offence have this disclosed as part of DBS checks.

It's good that the DBS comes to you first so you can double check before it goes anywhere else - and if the sex work thing ever did come up on it, then you should be able to get it removed.

When I complained about it.  I was told very clearly it will stay on.  And just because it shouldn't be information included doesn't mean it won't be.  I found in my case it was a human who entered that extra information not a database check for crimes that should automatically show up.

The police say one thing and do another. 

[Karena]

I agree MB, the police say one thing and do another. But honestly if you want that taken off, contact NUM's. I'd be interested to see if you get the same response as my friend. Of course, she won't know until she applies for a job that requires a full DBS check and gets the DBS sent to her. Just trying to help because this isn't on when SW's want to move on to other jobs. She was also told that a human (some sort of senior cop) gets to add the information. I don't want SW's to think they shouldn't report a crime against them because this may show on their DBS certificates. If anyone is worried, contact NUM's or ECP's.

[henry]

When I complained about it.  I was told very clearly it will stay on.  And just because it shouldn't be information included doesn't mean it won't be.  I found in my case it was a human who entered that extra information not a database check for crimes that should automatically show up.

The police say one thing and do another.

Miss Betty,

It is an outrage that this is included in your DBS check. Not that there is anything wrong with being a prostitute or being called a prostitute (of course), but (exactly as you asked) would they have stated your "known" occupation if you were a plumber? Of course not. The fact of mentioning it in your DBS check - and adding the word "known", similar to e.g. "known criminal", is intended to invite adverse inference, and for that reason is wholly wrong.

I would definitely suggest to try to get it removed. I can recommend a (female) human rights barrister who takes direct access cases, is SW-friendly, and who charges reasonable rates, if that can help you with advice, or action?

I am not a lawyer but my firm belief is that you would be successful to have this removed. The police have recently been forced to delete records of "non-crime hate incidents" following a court order. Clearly, being a prostitute is also a non-crime!

Henry

[henry]

Reclaim the term ‘prostitute’ as our own  - it’s used to insult us, but I love calling myself a prostitute  - the word is only offensive if you let it be offensive to you

My view entirely!

I am only very part-time and escorting is probably ~3% of my work by time and ~10% by income, but I am very proud to be a (part-time) prostitute, and would use the terms "escort" and "prostitute" interchangeably.

My duo partner (also my wife!) has a much higher % of her time and income escorting, formerly is was 100%/100%, and yes I am also proud of her and proud to be married to a (fellow) prostitute!