Criminal Justice Bill update: Lap dancing

Thursday, 6th May, 2010

Sandra White MSP has lodged an amendment to the Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill which would allow local authorities to apply a specific licensing regime to adult entertainment venues. 

This new proposal, if supported, would provide local authorities with greater powers to determine the number, if any, of clubs in their area.  Thanks to all those who wrote in to support the amendment and we would urge the Justice Committee to accept these proposed changes. 

Lap dancing is not harmless fun; it is a clear form of commercial sexual exploitation which degrades women and encourages men to objectify women for their own gratification.  Not only can lap dancing often become a gateway to prostitution, women dancers face regular harassment and poor working conditions. 

The fact that there is a demand for these activities does not make them legitimate.  Lap dancing clubs also have a harmful impact on the communities nearby and we firmly believe that local authorities should have the option to refuse to licence these establishments.  We hope in the coming weeks that the Justice Committee will have made a decision on this important issue.

Read ZT's submission below and all  written submissions posted on the Committee’s web-page for the Bill here.