Vocapedia > UK > Violence > Prostitution, Porn

‘I Don’t Want to Be in This Forever.’

Four Women Share Their Experiences in the Sex Trade

When the production team and I

interviewed four women who worked in the sex trade in Wales

for the film above,

we were struck by the diversity of each interview:

each revealing a different emotional state

— whether it be loneliness, contempt or self-loathing.

Through a local organization,

we connected with an outreach worker

who supports vulnerable women.

She was an essential link in making this film;

her trust and love in the community

made it possible for the women to open up to us.

To ensure the women felt comfortable

sharing their often ignored stories

without fear of judgment or compromised privacy,

we chose to incorporate animation.

Collaborating with illustrator and animator Ola Szmida was crucial.

Her distinctive, stream-of-consciousness animation conveys

the nuanced emotions and inner worlds of the women.

This film is about listening and understanding,

seeing beyond the surface to the common threads that bind us all

— resilience, loneliness, and the search for connection and purpose.

We hope it fosters greater empathy and insight into lives

that deserve to be understood and valued.

- Film and text by John Robert Lee

(https://www.johnrobertlee.com/)

This 2024 Op-Doc is a shorter edition

of the 2020 film "Not For Money, Not For Love, Not For Nothing."

video    Op-Docs    NYT    16 August 2024

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocwRXjhyU1M

related

https://www.nytimes.com/column/op-docs

https://www.nytimes.com/video/opinion/100000009513506/not-for-money-not-for-love-not-for-nothing.html

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4CGYNsoW2iCb4uQUNgWK6TJJgNVp-MpP

escort

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/jul/15/
scotland-prostitution-debate-criminalisation-legalisation

UK > prostitute        UK / USA

https://www.npr.org/2018/07/05/
626088604/voodoo-using-u-k-nurse-sentenced-for-trafficking-nigerian-women

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jan/19/
rupert-everett-in-defence-of-prostitutes

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jan/08/
five-gang-members-jailed-trafficking-hungary-uk

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jul/15/scotland-
prostitution-debate-criminalisation-legalisation

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/jan/15/oxford-
gang-girls-prostitutes-bailey

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/sep/11/
paying-for-sex-prostitution

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/may/26/
police-arrest-man-bradford-murders

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/jan/15/
why-men-use-prostitutes

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/
prostitute-murders-the-tragedy-of-the-cases-still-unsolved-
786412.html - 24 February 2008

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/nov/26/ukcrime.rebeccaallison

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/dec/13/suffolkmurders 

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/dec/13/suffolkmurders5 

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/dec/13/suffolkmurders1 

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/dec/13/suffolkmurders3

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/dec/13/
suffolkmurders2

prostitution

https://www.theguardian.com/society/
prostitution

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/aug/25/
punish-the-men-who-pay-for-sex-rather-than-the-women-lured-into-that-life

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jun/06/
prostitution-sex-work-pimp-state-kat-banyard-decriminalisation

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jul/15/scotland-
prostitution-debate-criminalisation-legalisation

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/sep/11/paying-for-sex-prostitution

be forced into prostitution

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/nov/05/
ukcrime.childprotection

https://www.theguardian.com/child/0,7368,350542,00.html 

sex-grooming gangs / grooming gangs

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/aug/08/
judges-uphold-decision-to-strip-rochdale-grooming-gang-members-of-citizenship

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/dec/19/
rochdale-sex-grooming-gangs-police-errors

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2013/sep/10/
asian-girls-hidden-victims-sex-grooming-report-video

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/may/09/
rochdale-gang-jailed-sexually-exploiting

sex work

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jul/29/
austerity-is-forcing-women-into-sex-work-samantha-morton

Sex Work and Occupational Homicide:

Analysis of a U.K. Murder Database

https://researchonline.lshtm.ac.uk/id/eprint/4647626/1/
Sex Work_GOLD VoR.pdf

sex worker

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/feb/28/
iain-packer-emma-caldwell-murder-police-scotland-crown-office-analysis

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/feb/28/
emma-caldwell-murder-police-scotland-faces-scrutiny-man-found-guilty

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/feb/28/
iain-packer-emma-caldwell-murder-police-scotland-crown-office-analysis

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/feb/27/
most-sex-workers-jobs-health-education-charities-survey

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/11/
soho-police-raids-sex-workers-fear-trafficking

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/jul/15/
scotland-prostitution-debate-criminalisation-legalisation

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/jan/05/
sanctuary-sex-workers

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/may/27/bradford-murders-sex-workers-drugs

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/may/27/bradford-sex-workers-stephen-griffiths

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/dec/14/
suffolkmurders.topstories3 

sex worker advocacy group Scot-Pep

https://scot-pep.org.uk/ 

sex slave

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/may/08/
ukcrime.prisonsandprobation

madam

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/jul/15/
scotland-prostitution-debate-criminalisation-legalisation 

commercial sex

https://www.economist.com/leaders/2004/09/02/
sex-is-their-business 

UK > sex trade        UK / USA

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/13/
opinion/sex-trade-workers-wales.html

http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/sep/23/sex-my-british-job-review

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/apr/15/brothel-regret-not-working-sex-trade

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/jun/09/olympics-crackdown-on-sex-trade

http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2011/apr/19/sex-trafficking-uk-legal-reform

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/
why-the-sex-trade-flourishes-1052552.html -  5 December 2008

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/nov/21/ukcrime.immigrationpolicy 

be forced into cheap sex trade

sex industry

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/jul/15/
scotland-prostitution-debate-criminalisation-legalisation 

booming sex industry

criminal activity

2004 > Manchester order bans prostitute

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/jun/17/
martinwainwright 

trafficking

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/jan/15/
oxford-gang-girls-prostitutes-bailey 

trafficking ring

http://www.theguardian.com/news/2005/oct/12/crime 

human trafficker

https://www.theguardian.com/law/2011/apr/19/
sex-trafficking-uk-legal-reform 

human trafficking

trafficked girl

https://www.theguardian.com/law/2011/apr/19/
sex-trafficking-uk-legal-reform

sexual exploitation

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/aug/25/
punish-the-men-who-pay-for-sex-
rather-than-the-women-lured-into-that-life

trade in humans for sexual exploitation

anti-trafficking squad

vice squad

gang

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/jan/15/
oxford-gang-girls-prostitutes-bailey 

pimp

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/jan/17/
ukcrime.immigrationpolicy 

pimping

punter

customer

solicit

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/jul/15/
scotland-prostitution-debate-criminalisation-legalisation 

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/jun/17/
martinwainwright 

vice

brothel

https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2023/mar/24/
trafficked-the-closed-door-part-two-podcast

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jun/02/nevada-brothels-sheris-ranch

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jan/19/rupert-everett-in-defence-of-prostitutes

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/jul/15/
scotland-prostitution-debate-criminalisation-legalisation

http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/sep/23/sex-my-british-job-review

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/apr/15/brothel-regret-not-working-sex-trade

run a brothel 

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/sep/30/ukcrime

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/sep/30/ukcrime.prisonsandprobation 

brothel keeper

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/aug/07/
heath-controversy-former-brothel-keeper-to-be-quizzed-by-authorities-
paedophilia-child-abuse

whore

whorehouse

the madam of a whorehouse

red-light area / district

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jan/19/
rupert-everett-in-defence-of-prostitutes

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/jul/15/
scotland-prostitution-debate-criminalisation-legalisation

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/dec/15/
ukcrime.drugsandalcohol

London > King's Cross red light district

prostitution zone

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/jul/16/ukcrime.prisonsandprobation3 

Harris's List of Covent Garden Ladies

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/apr/11/books.booksnews 

kerb crawler

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/jan/17/ukcrime.immigrationpolicy 

kerb crawling

pornography

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/
pornography

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/sep/10/
how-porn-is-damaging-our-childrens-future-sex-lives

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/jul/16/
pornification-britains-high-streets 

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/11/11/
does-pornography-deserve-its-bad-rap 

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/03/
fashion/03porn.html

crack down on online pornography

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/jul/22/
david-cameron-crackdown-internet-pornography

pornography and technology

https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/
isex-how-pornography-has-revolutionised-technology-1749247.html -  17 July 2009

porn

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/jan/20/
sex-addiction-is-making-me-unhappy 

violent porn

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/jul/22/
david-cameron-crackdown-internet-pornography 

be hooked on internet porn

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2011/apr/07/
women-addicted-internet-pornography 

The Anti-Porn Men project

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2010/oct/25/
men-believe-porn-is-wrong

Paul Raymond (Geoffrey Anthony Quinn), entrepreneur    1925-2008

king of the Soho strip clubs

and soft-porn magazine trade

for more than 40 years

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2008/mar/03/2 

blue movie

graphic scenes of unsimulated sex

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/oct/19/
filmcensorship.news 

the king of the nudies

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/sep/22/
news.xanbrooks 

internet porn / online porn

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/may/07/online-porn-regulate-kids-not-net

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2011/apr/07/women-addicted-internet-pornography

online relations with women

Hardcore documentary

this documentary offers a horrifying glimpse

into the abuse of women in porn

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2011/jul/14/
hardcore-abuse-of-women-in-porn

Corpus of news articles

UK > Violence > Sexual violence >

Prostitution

12 February 1987

'Madame Cyn' strains court-room calm

From The Guardian archive

The severe calm of an English court was sorely tried by the "Madame Cyn" case. But the law proved as unshakable in its stays as the nobly constrained form of Mrs Cynthia Payne herself.

The Inner London Crown Court, where Mrs Payne was cleared yesterday of controlling prostitutes, took it all: accounts of Mrs Payne's style of home entertaining in Ambleside Avenue, Streatham, and the tumultu ous scenes when a police raid brought the party to an end – a great final fling of bedroom doors, revealing prodigies of corsetry and of sexual energy among the elderly infirm.

Judge Brian Pryor, who conducted the trial, sat in his wig and calf-length gown as a constable described his party-time encounter with a gent in curly grey wig and evening frock who introduced himself as Amanda. During a lesbian floor show, of course. Cynthia Payne has always thrown that sort of party.

Day one (January 22) opened with colourful events at No 32 and the denouement as the police crashed in. One man was in Mrs Payne's bathroom sitting on the rim of the bath, with a woman at his knee. When the police burst in she sprang to her feet. The gent toppled backwards into the tub, legs in the air and trousers around his ankles. Mrs Payne could hardly be blamed for his predicament. A sign on the door asked visitors not to fornicate in the bathroom "by order".

Day four: Inspector Colin White described an exchange with Mrs Payne – who said that she used to be a prostitute "until I got someone else to do the work... I prefer to enjoy the parties these days. Anyway, the hostess can't keep disappearing all night."

Day five: Items taken from the house were displayed in court, including a large, green luncheon vouchers sign, contraceptive pills, and a wooden bead necklace. Judge Pryor: "It is notorious that judges have always led sheltered lives but I cannot, for the moment, see the significance of the bead necklace."

February 3: Mrs Payne, with some dignity, explained from the witness box that she never indulged in sex at her parties. "I know it does make people happy, but to me it is just like having a cup of tea," she said.

February 9: Mr Spens, defending, sympathised with the jury who must be feeling "punch drunk" after hearing from a policeman who infiltrated three parties. His version of events amounted to "a sort of sexual marathon not even a Mars bar a day could possibly sustain". Judge Pryor, summing up, warned that the case was a criminal trial, not a form of entertainment.

'Madame Cyn' strains court-room calm,
G,
12 February 1987,
 republished 12.2.2009,
p. 34,
http://digital.guardian.co.uk/guardian/2009/02/12/
pages/ber34.shtml

sex crimes, trafficking, prostitution > USA

global economy

cheap labour, forced labour, slavery >

21st century

violence,

knife crime / stabbing,

gun violence,

abuse, domestic violence,

prostitution, sexual violence, rape,

kidnapping, crime, police >

UK

violence against women and girls >

United Kingdom

violence against women and girls

worldwide

femininism

law, justice, prisons > UK