6.5: Follow up Interview to Consultation Response on Adult Entertainment
Interviewee: Elaine Samson from YWCA responding on behalf of a group/organisation (Group)
Interviewers: Jan MacLeod, Patricia McIlquham, Rab Fleming
Secretariat: Stephanie McTighe
1. Background discussions with women at the YWCA
The young women at the YWCA found the discussion about adult entertainment a complex area; in particular they were confused about the boundaries. When it was first discussed, the young women wanted to be "cool and hip" about it, they did not want to be aligned with feminism or seen as anti-men, or as if they were not "up for sex." After lengthy discussions on the topic however, some of the women changed their viewpoints, discovering greater concerns about the safety of women who do perform in the adult entertainment industry and greater concerns about how girls and women were viewed generally as a result of the growing prevalence of this type of 'entertainment'. The women drew links between working in the lap/pole dancing industry with prostitution and trafficking. Media influences made them angry in the respect that media portrays adult entertainment as an acceptable form of entertainment, when really it has much graver consequences.
Performers working in the Adult Entertainment industry should be aged 18 at minimum but ideally, 21. Degradation and exploitation of women is a component of every part of the sexual industry. Homosexual adult entertainment was not seen as more acceptable.
Many European YWCAs have progressed work on prostitution and trafficking and some YWCA Scotland members have been involved in seminars and awareness raising. One thing it found is that women find it difficult to say that this kind of work is something they do not want to be doing, as admitting this would make them feel disempowered. The reality is different however. It is much more likely that the same women would rather not be involved in this line of work.
(a) What does 'adult entertainment' mean to you?
The term adult entertainment is misleading as it sounds gender neutral. It implies equal access and participation for men and women when in reality women are providers and men are consumers of sexual services. The group felt that men providing entertainment is not so prevalent.
The view of YWCA Scotland is that entertainment should be relaxing and enjoyable to adults equally. There were different views at the YWCA depending on one's residence/age etc. For instance, younger women thought adult entertainment meant cinema, theatre and nightclubs. The term 'adult' confuses the understanding in this case. Women from rural areas had little or no experience of lap/pole dancing or stripper clubs so their definition of adult entertainment was different to those from cities.
(b) What do you think it includes?
Degradation is involved as it is both a consequence of being a performer and is involved at the outset by men paying for services that degrade. Media portrayal and influences normalise this and position it as socially acceptable. The group thought walking down Lothian Road in Edinburgh for instance would be a quite different experience however, than watching a scene on The Bill on TV. There is also a risk that vulnerable women younger than 18 could get involved in the industry, for instance if a girl is living away from home or has no qualifications it would be an easy thing to do to earn money.
(c) What do you think it excludes?
The term adult entertainment excludes protection for women and children. For instance, where there are women and children in city centre areas where men are entering and leaving clubs, they are more at risk. It is not merely the location which is a problem but the activity and term 'adult entertainment' is an issue.
(d) Does the following definition of adult entertainment correspond with your understanding of the subject?
'Live sexual entertainment services with an intention to sexually titillate, and/or that a reasonable person, acting reasonably, would assume that there was such an intention.'
Yes. The word 'entertainment' should definitely be taken out. Including 'sex' or 'sexual' in the terminology 'adult entertainment' would be a much more accurate description.
The definition as it stands is misleading and is not universally understood to mean live sexual services. The definition does not indicate that exploitative elements are involved or that there is a potential for exploitation.
When and where is a line drawn between what is exploitation and what is not? For instance, poles are erected in pubs and clubs which by peer pressure, social pressure or otherwise, some girls are encouraged to dance around (and subsequently may feel awkward or degraded). It could be argued that these clubs are either providing a service or that this is exploitation. This demonstrates how activities which may be exploitative or demeaning to women have become mainstream.
(e) What activities are you aware of taking place in Scotland which would be covered by the definition of adult entertainment shown above?
There seems to be a rural/urban split between the members of the YWCA. Women from rural areas were not aware or had not experienced any sort of activities which take place in city centres. Although, in some small town venues rural young women had heard of wife swapping parties and thought this might constitute adult entertainment. Activities such as the "Chippendales" were not part of the YWCA discussion on adult entertainment.
(f) 1. What impacts do these activities have on performers?
It was the opinion of those at the YWCA that performers are able to earn sums of money that it may be difficult to equal in other work. It was acknowledged that some women may choose to take part in this industry but for others it may be through lack of other choices, e.g. if women/young girls have either left home, have children to support or a drug problem to feed. It is not seen as a positive career choice for women to make. There was an acknowledgement in YWCA Scotland that it is an industry any woman could become involved in, by choice or otherwise. The general consensus amongst women aged 18-30 and some under 18s at the YWCA is that it is felt to be exploitative to performers.
(f) 2. What impacts do these activities have on audiences?
There are 3 groups who can be audiences. The impacts on each group are different as there are different expectations/needs depending on the audience. However, gender inequality is a main and negative impact for all.
Audiences are predominantly male, and these activities impact negatively by enabling males to see performers (usually female) as objects, who are there for their own sexual pleasure and needs. YWCA Scotland stated this can impact on the way that men view and relate to women in other aspects of their lives. YWCA Scotland stated the difference between 2 groups of male audiences - one which were hardened, regular users of 'adult entertainment' and the other that were occasional users, for example stag parties or business men. They concluded that the impact on both groups would be similar, although regular users would be more likely to view women as unequal and as objects for their sexual gratification.
YWCA Scotland had also discussed the issue of poles for instance, being erected in normal pubs or clubs whereby some females may perhaps feel pressure to dance around them, and noted that this would have a possible negative impact on females in general. Females (particularly young women) may think at first that performing is "cool" and they may wish to act out what they have seen. The YWCA representatives did acknowledge however that women would be likely to be in the minority in any audience within an 'adult entertainment' venue. The venues providing 'adult entertainment' normalises pole dancing for instance, as a day to day activity.
The YWCA representatives added the point that alcohol acts as a disinhibiter - it fuels people's actions.
(f) 3. What impacts do these activities have on the public in general?
Lothian Road and Tollcross in Edinburgh are perceived as magnet areas for men especially stag parties - a clear message came through from YWCA that women in the group felt unsafe in these areas. Women felt intimidated to walk past 'adult entertainment' venues such as lap dancing clubs as men were more likely to be in groups, have been drinking and to view women as sexually available and willing. Also, clubs providing such activities re-enforce the image of women as sex objects.
(g) What controls if any do you consider are necessary to regulate these activities?
It was stated by YWCA Scotland that clubs that promote live sexual services are undermining gender equality, and society would benefit overall if they did not exist. The YWCA is not taking this position because it is prudish about sex or anything erotic but the women feel lines should be drawn between what is entertaining and appropriate and what they see is degrading and potentially dangerous to the safety of girls and women. No controls were identified by the group however.
Additional Information
There was a concern that places may be promoting Edinburgh as a 'stag night' city centre or whether it was popular purely by word of mouth. It was suggested that such activities in Edinburgh may be promoted on websites and by cheap airlines. Dublin was very popular for stag and hen nights in recent years, but so much that the Local Authority there is now actually de-promoting it. It was put forward that this may be a scenario in Edinburgh in the not too distant future. It was also put forward by the YWCA that education is needed for boys and girls on respect, positive relationships and gender equality, as there is a strong feeling that women are seen as complicit providers and men as purchasers.