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Vice den secrets revealed
One of the bedrooms pictured during the raid on a suspected brothel in Newhall Street
One of the bedrooms pictured during the raid on a suspected brothel in Newhall Street

A WOMAN working as a prostitute at a Swindon brothel has said she is proud of her job.

Jenny works as a dominatrix from a friend's house and said not all prostitutes are on drugs.

"I would happily speak out, but there is still a bit of a stigma attached to it, so I don't want my children to get picked on for it," said Jenny, who is using an assumed name.

After years of office work she got into the game as a way of providing for her children.

Jenny said she offers specialist services to men who can't satisfy their needs in conventional relationships.

"I work as a dominatrix, dressing up and things," she said.

"A lot of my clients don't feel they can ask their wives to do the things they want.

"So they come to me instead.

"I see it as providing a kind of bespoke service.

"I don't always enjoy what I'm doing but I do it so I can provide for my family."

The mum-of-two said she could earn up to £100 an hour, and her pay varied dramatically on different days of the week.

She said: "I was working two jobs before and struggling to provide for my kids.

"Now I work when I want to and earn good money.

"There are so many women out there who will sleep with a man on a one night stand after a few drinks. I don't see what I do as any different to that.

"Men pick women up and take advantage of them, so I might as well make a profit out of it.

"My children are pretty much the only people who don't know what I do.

"That's not because I'm ashamed of it, but you don't ever really want your kids to know too much detail about your sex life.

"When I first told my parents they didn't like the idea, but now they understand that I would never do anything I wasn't comfortable with."

Jenny describes her secret life as a job and says she doesn't find the men she sleeps with attractive.

"I have one client who is an 82-year-old war veteran," she said. "It can be hard when it is someone you really don't fancy, but you just switch off and do what you've got to do.

"People think it is all sleazy men, but most of them are normal. They are your husbands, dads and friends, they just have sexual needs they either can't get elsewhere or are too embarrassed to ask for.

"As it is a business transaction they don't have to feel bad about asking for exactly what they want."

Jenny said brothels were a good way of protecting sex workers.

"I'm not on drugs, and none of the other women I work with are," she said.

"I'm sure there are girls who are forced into prostitution, but not here.

"Girls on the streets might be drug addicts, but I'm not.

"I just work from a normal house where my friend lives. There is no way I would work from the streets, but I don't have any fears about my safety here."

12:04pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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Posted by: Grimaldi, The Big Top on 1:18pm Wed 7 May 08
Excellent. A marvellous upbringing for the children.
Posted by: Voice of Reason, The Parks on 1:41pm Wed 7 May 08
The children do not know what she does, and she pays her way. Atleast she aint sitting at home popping them out and claiming benefits, fair play to her if there was no need for her services she would be out of a job..?

Posted by: Dick-Turpin, Swindon on 1:45pm Wed 7 May 08
Whether you agree with them or not legalised brothels are a far safer environment for both girls/guys and the public. If managed by the council or other government run organisation the health of the workers and customers alike would be far better than the illegal back street prostitutes. The government is missing a trick (excuse the pun) here and are loosing out on a tax revenue and NI contribution into the system. It could potentially reduce the amount of sex offences that take place if customers know they can pay for sex rather than force themselves on someone. I am fully aware that it will not erradicate it completely but at least it will be controlled and take it off the streets.
Posted by: malkym on 3:09pm Wed 7 May 08
Dick-Turpin wrote:
Whether you agree with them or not legalised brothels are a far safer environment for both girls/guys and the public. If managed by the council or other government run organisation the health of the workers and customers alike would be far better than the illegal back street prostitutes. The government is missing a trick (excuse the pun) here and are loosing out on a tax revenue and NI contribution into the system. It could potentially reduce the amount of sex offences that take place if customers know they can pay for sex rather than force themselves on someone. I am fully aware that it will not erradicate it completely but at least it will be controlled and take it off the streets.
Mr Turpin - what an appropriate name you have for this topic! However much of what you say is sound common sense - well it is except to the numpties on councils or in gov'mnt. Granted these licensed premises shouldn't be near residential areas but there is enough vacant property on industrial estates that could be converted with strict controls on opening/closing times, medically cleared/monitored staff etc.I'm sure the long harrassed residents of Broadgreen would be happy to pay another £5 in council tax to finance such a scheme to reduce the number of street workers, and as DT states at the moment all the revenue from unlicensed brothels is in the black economy. This is not surprising when the current government have almost reached the point of taxing everyone for breaking wind! I have a friend who operates in a similar controlled environment as "Jenny"(I am not however a client) and who as a single mum with two kids has been able to provide them with clothing, holidays and birthday presents that simply would not have been within reach which is why like Jenny she does it. I'm sure if Gordy & Darling Alastair held a referendum on licensed brothels the result would be an overwhelming "Oui"
Posted by: john c, swindon on 3:19pm Wed 7 May 08
Dick-Turpin wrote:
Whether you agree with them or not legalised brothels are a far safer environment for both girls/guys and the public. If managed by the council or other government run organisation the health of the workers and customers alike would be far better than the illegal back street prostitutes. The government is missing a trick (excuse the pun) here and are loosing out on a tax revenue and NI contribution into the system. It could potentially reduce the amount of sex offences that take place if customers know they can pay for sex rather than force themselves on someone. I am fully aware that it will not erradicate it completely but at least it will be controlled and take it off the streets.
I fully agree with Dick.
Prostitutes should be legalised, licensed, health checked, working from registered brothels and paying tax & NI.
It is not a line of work I would like any of my family to go into but it is they say the oldest profession.

Posted by: Just A Thought on 3:37pm Wed 7 May 08
I agree with legalising brothels, but I do wonder, will this woman be telling her kids one day how she raised the money to buy presents?
Sound harsh? Maybe it is but, although I am not judging people who use prostitutes or people that are prostitutes I just don’t like what seems close to boasting about the amount of cash she earns
I notice no mention of income tax or national insurance ect. Does she use the NHS? Is she claiming benefits as well?
Posted by: mumof1, Freshbrook on 4:17pm Wed 7 May 08
As a ex prostitute I fully agree that prostitution should be made legal. After meeting one punter who tried to sexually abuse me, I vowed that it was my last night working the streets. That was 8 years ago and I have never gone back to that way of life. That was the scarest night of my life and with brothels legal this would never happen to another prostitute.
Posted by: Voice of Reason, The Parks on 4:28pm Wed 7 May 08
WOW Fair play to you mumof1 for being honest and also for making something better for yourself and young one...x
Posted by: malkym on 4:28pm Wed 7 May 08
Just A Thought wrote:
I agree with legalising brothels, but I do wonder, will this woman be telling her kids one day how she raised the money to buy presents? Sound harsh? Maybe it is but, although I am not judging people who use prostitutes or people that are prostitutes I just don’t like what seems close to boasting about the amount of cash she earns I notice no mention of income tax or national insurance ect. Does she use the NHS? Is she claiming benefits as well?
JAT - who knows whether she declares her earnings? Catch 22 -she probably does not and no idea if shes claimimg benefit - naughty if she is -i'm not so concerned over the tax angle - she can hardly say what she earns can she? How do the Inland Revenue tax her? @22%/40% its all cash and dash? SO!! like we all agree (well all posters to date) licenced and taxed workers would seem to be a much more sensible route and lead to far less examples of what mumof1 has described above.
Posted by: Ianto, Swindon on 5:25pm Wed 7 May 08
quote


How do you know she's not claiming benefits? She certainly won't be paying taxes!
Posted by: Nuddy, Swindon on 5:29pm Wed 7 May 08
I live in the Broadgreen Area,and it may sound harsh, but if prostitutes decide to solicit their trade illegally on the streets and something happens to them, too bad, they only have themselves to blame. They do not live in the area and have no thoughts for the residents that have to put up with the connected problems of their chosen 'trade' so I have no sympathy for them, nor consideration for their safety.

I would also not be prepared to pay any extra council tax to take the prostitutes off the streets and pay for safer, better surroundings.
For a start it would not take the majority of them off of our streets, because they are paying for a drug habit and would never consider working legally in a brothel and paying tax etc. and if prostitutes want to work 'legally' from a brothel then they can pay for it themselves, like anyone else starting up a business.
I believe our Government in their alleged wisdom have made it far easier now, by allowing up to 2 prostitutes and a maid/receptionist can now work from a property legally.
Posted by: Dick-Turpin, Swindon on 6:31pm Wed 7 May 08
Whether you agree with them or not legalised brothels are a far safer environment for both girls/guys and the public. If managed by the council or other government run organisation the health of the workers and customers alike would be far better than the illegal back street prostitutes. The government is missing a trick (excuse the pun) here and are loosing out on a tax revenue and NI contribution into the system. It could potentially reduce the amount of sex offences that take place if customers know they can pay for sex rather than force themselves on someone. I am fully aware that it will not erradicate it completely but at least it will be controlled and take it off the streets.
Posted by: Ms Montgomery on 6:56pm Wed 7 May 08
its true what jenny says not all prostitues are no drugs,and it should be leagalised and regulated, I work as a prostitute also and i pay my ni and tax as i have a morgage on my property i am registed with the ir as an 'escort' and have found them to be most helpful(why wouldnt they be)

im sure i will get comments about how can i do the job etc but i provide a service im not a skank and if you passed me on the sreet you would have no idea of what i do for a living
soon i shall be finishing and starting up another business(not in the sex industry)
but i will look back at this particular chapter in my life without any regrets
Posted by: Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon on 9:14pm Wed 7 May 08
OK a challenge for all those who believe it should be legalised. Post your name and your post code so everyone will no what sad perverted people you are. I won't as the expression goes, hold my breath.
Posted by: Mumstheword, Walcot on 9:24pm Wed 7 May 08
I am not perverted, Legalise it! As for name and post code RFM many people who wish to see it legalised would be relectant to publish personal details on the net due to security concerns.
Posted by: Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon on 9:34pm Wed 7 May 08
Mumstheword, please??
Posted by: john c, swindon on 9:50pm Wed 7 May 08
RFM,
I agree with many of the points you make on these forums but not this time.
Since when does wishing to regulate / legalise any activity make anyone a sad pervert?
I would also like to see the legalisation and regulation of drugs, both of these measures would take money and power away from criminals.
As for asking people to reveal their personal contact details on and open forum so laying them open to identity theft do get real.
Posted by: Mr Obvious, Swindon on 10:11pm Wed 7 May 08
RFM,

Since when is having hetrosexual sex perverted? What is your problem with taking the sex trade off the streets?
Posted by: NotFromSwindon, Malmesbury on 11:10pm Wed 7 May 08
Legalising prostitution as a first step to controlling it has worked in other countries. By making it an 'underground culture' you introduce the people trafficking and violence aspects of the sex industry.

Making it illegal doesn't work. They have tried to do that for hundreds of years in this country and it clearly hasn't worked.

People should not have to endure prostitution outside their front door or in the flat next door but brothels in a non-residential location would solve that.
Posted by: NotFromSwindon, Malmesbury on 11:11pm Wed 7 May 08
Legalising prostitution as a first step to controlling it has worked in other countries. By making it an 'underground culture' you introduce the people trafficking and violence aspects of the sex industry.

Making it illegal doesn't work. They have tried to do that for hundreds of years in this country and it clearly hasn't worked.

People should not have to endure prostitution outside their front door or in the flat next door but brothels in a non-residential location would solve that.
Posted by: angie, chicago on 12:23am Thu 8 May 08
Surely it would be better for everyone involved in this occupation to be able to service their clients in a safe and secure enviroment. But where would you put these brothels?
Posted by: amlorusso, Swindon on 5:36am Thu 8 May 08
"OK a challenge for all those who believe it should be legalised. Post your name and your post code so everyone will no what sad perverted people you are. I won't as the expression goes, hold my breath."

Your objectivity continues to fail to impress me. Again you assert those who ask for the legalisation are people who would use such services. I don't wish to use such services, I just think it should be legalised.

Antonio Mario Lorusso
56 Eastcott Hill
Swindon
SN1 3JB
Posted by: amlorusso, Swindon on 5:46am Thu 8 May 08
And before you ask me if I would want a brothel in my area, the question is moot - the police have closed down brothels in the area. And yet the area hasn't degenerated into a community of "sad perverted people".

That's because this will always be a minority of people, and will always remain a minority of people, the rest of us having no need of such.
Posted by: Frontier(s) on 6:06am Thu 8 May 08
Posting your full name and postcode on a publically accessible internet site really isn't a clever idea - no matter what your view on prostitution.

On that subject, however, I feel RFM is wrong in this instance.

Plenty of people would be happy to see the legalisation of certain drugs, but that does not necessarily mean they want to take them themselves.

Equally, it's perfectly reasonable to want to see prostitution legalised and regulated without ever wishing to use the service yourself.

As it stands (and others have mentioned above) the government merely play around with this subject and have semi-legalised it (to appeal to certain voters) but not fully legalised it in a sensible way that allows the industry to be taxed and monitored appropriately (to appeal to the other section of voters).

As usual, this entire mess has been made even worse by this government.

My big problem with the current situation is that certain aspects of prostitution are illegal yet the police effectively turn a blind eye.

Sure, they close down a few 'brothels' now and again but you can bet that's really done for tax evasion reasons, rather than the prostitution itself.

It's the same with drugs. Selling, using and possessing class A drugs is illegal, yet the police often stop and share a joke with known drug addicts and bend over backwards to ensure they don't arrest them.

We either have laws and enforce them, or we don't. Anything in between is rank foolishness.
Posted by: malkym on 7:23am Thu 8 May 08
Robert Feal-Martinez wrote:
OK a challenge for all those who believe it should be legalised. Post your name and your post code so everyone will no what sad perverted people you are. I won't as the expression goes, hold my breath.
RFM you are obviously suffering from post traumatic UKIP Electioneering disorder and your brain is fuddled! Wanting to see a practice that is currently sordid and fraught with danger for both clients and prostitutes cleaned up does not mean that all those who wish to see it on a more controlled basis on a legal platform are perverts or users of these women. Frontier(s)expresses the rationale so succinctly I am unable to improve on his eloquent comments - MESSAGE TO RFM - failed political candidate, ex copper- jeez I bet you were a bundle of laughs to be on the beat with!, and publican still? Carps still open or has your happy cheery demeanour ensured its closure? GET REAL ROBERT!!
Posted by: Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon on 9:14am Thu 8 May 08
Nice to see so many people who believe that prostitution is OK. And there I was thinking posters on here were all in favour of streets free from crime. So I guess provided we don't see it then it's alright then, part of the decline in moral standards is clearly acceptable. A nice legacy for our kids. By the way given that I do not make individual personal attacks, could I ask for the same courtesy.
Posted by: Frontier(s) on 9:22am Thu 8 May 08
Robert, at the end of the day, most of us prostitute ourselves in one way or another.

I don't think anybody wants to see street prostitutes, unregulated and uncontrolled.

What people are saying is that either we make it legal and controlled or we properly enfore the laws that currently surround it.

Would I rather see safe, clean, well managed brothels that operate above board and are taxed and monitored than drug addicts having sex in alleyways? Yes. And I would think any sensible person would agree.

The alternative is to make prostitution fully illegal and prosecute all prostitutes and those who use their services.

As we all know that will never happen, the legalisation route seems to be the only realistic and progressive course of action.
Posted by: malkym on 10:06am Thu 8 May 08
Robert Feal-Martinez wrote:
Nice to see so many people who believe that prostitution is OK. And there I was thinking posters on here were all in favour of streets free from crime. So I guess provided we don't see it then it's alright then, part of the decline in moral standards is clearly acceptable. A nice legacy for our kids. By the way given that I do not make individual personal attacks, could I ask for the same courtesy.
Normally happy to avoid personal attacks but you really are being such a pratt over this matter its difficult! WE (the Royal We of fellow posters) are not necessarily condoning prostitution - it is as they say the oldest profession and like it or lump it Robert it aint going to go away! Therefore it is surely is it not better to control it in a restricted secluded area away from residential areas so that both the women and their clients can be in a cleaner safer environment. How then would you propose to stop it? Existing laws are a muddle and don't work - a Chief constable quoted that to have 24 hr cover on the streets he would need 6 PC's to cover a 24 hr shift to allow for holidays sickness etc. And we all know that is a pipedream so come on RFM lets hear your ideas on how to eradicate prostitution per se!
Posted by: P S Altery, Swindon on 10:33am Thu 8 May 08
Make them listen to Silver Skies by RM Selman, that would make them stop, wouldn't you say so Grimaldi?
Posted by: Grimaldi, The Big Top on 10:37am Thu 8 May 08
Absolutely PS. Or give them a blast of 'Mexican Sleigh Ride' on a Bikelophone - that should get them running for the exits - wouldnt you say so PS?
Posted by: Just A Thought on 10:42am Thu 8 May 08
RFM – You claim that anyone thinking it is right to legalise prostitution is a sad pervert? Hmm not very endearing is it. You then state “part of the decline in moral standards” Since prostitution is commonly labelled the oldest profession in the world from when are you making this judgment?
I am sorry Sir, but your argument is pointless and wrong!
I personally have never considered using a prostitute, but I do believe there are far more benefits to legalising and controlling it.
Not sad, not a pervert. A realistic person.
Malkym – Cash and dash I had to smile at that.
Posted by: malkym on 10:53am Thu 8 May 08
Hey JAT you like that eh? The black economy -well we all use it and maybe benefit from it from time to time eh? Like I said Robber McBroon & Darling Alastair are taxing our butts so hard they'll be taxing the methane emanating from our backsides when we break wind in a minute eh? Poor old RFM's really lost the plot on this one eh?
Posted by: P S Altery, Swindon on 11:03am Thu 8 May 08
Hey love should be free Grimaldi, you wanna help me prmote this at the Selmanstock festival next month, I have a new far out tune called Waterfall Of Cellos we can play - Right on!
Posted by: Frontier(s) on 11:06am Thu 8 May 08
malkym, you touch upon a big problem that currently faces NuBruin & Darling.

As people's finances are ever more squeezed yet their tax burden continues to spiral upwards, more people will avoid and even evade taxes wherever they can.

The UK is more highly taxed than at any point in history. As the USA government hands tax money back to its people in order to halt the slide into recession, our delightful 'Dream Team' continue to increase taxes.

In these circumstances it's not hard to see why otherwise law-abiding people decide that enough is enough and that they can decide to spend their money better than a man who squanders it on illegal wars and propping up banks that fail but are kept alive because they're based in Labour's traditional heartlands.

Many people I know simply feel that they pay enough tax and get nothing in return. People are starting to make their own judgements about whether or not they will pay more.
Posted by: malkym on 11:41am Thu 8 May 08
Exactimondo Frontier(s)! Where's old RFM gone then? he seems to have gone very quiet seemingly lost the argument? or is it he's busy contemplating giving us his solution to the age old problem of prostitution- ROBERT!!!! You there!!!!!!?????
Posted by: Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon on 12:16pm Thu 8 May 08
malkym, some of us do work for a living. I have nothing further to say on the topic, I concede that the majority here accept accept prostitution as a normal part of life.
Posted by: Frontier(s) on 12:55pm Thu 8 May 08
RFM, the majority here do not accept prostitution as a normal part of life - because it affects so few people.

What most seem to accept is that there will always be women who will engage in it and there will always be some men who will be interested in taking them up on their offer.

It has nothing at all to do with most people's lives.
Posted by: HoneyPie, The Shire on 2:21pm Thu 8 May 08
Oh dear, Robert. There you go again. Twisting other people's comments to fit your own prejudices...

I would guess that the majority here don't necessarily accept prostitution as a 'normal' part of life. But it has been going on for thousands of years and just avoiding looking for a realistic resolution to the problem has never worked. The law is a mess on this subject.

To solve the problem, we need to look at all the options and accept when things are unworkable in a practical sense.

And prostitution involves men and boys as well as women and girls.
Posted by: malkym on 2:29pm Thu 8 May 08
Robert Feal-Martinez wrote:
malkym, some of us do work for a living. I have nothing further to say on the topic, I concede that the majority here accept accept prostitution as a normal part of life.
Robert the majority here,me included, do not accept prostitution as a normal part of life even if you think we do! What we do do as Frontier(s)says is accept that a)there will always be women who will see it as a way of making easy money, drug addicted or not and b)there will always be those males with rising testosterone levels who are not in a stable relationship or are single and don't want commitment who will use the services offered and that is what I think you have to accept unless as previously stated you have the panacea to cure this particular ill?
Posted by: malkym on 3:15pm Thu 8 May 08
....and honey Pie -oooh what a lovely pseudonym.... is spot on men and boys are often involved too.
Posted by: dalekdave, Swindon on 5:58pm Thu 8 May 08
Robert Feal-Martinez wrote:
OK a challenge for all those who believe it should be legalised. Post your name and your post code so everyone will no what sad perverted people you are. I won't as the expression goes, hold my breath.
You know, I actually considered voting for your party but if this is your idea of democratic free speech then hell will freeze over first.

Why should someone disagreeing with you make them a sad pervert?

Personally, I am for people's freedom of choice as long as that choice does not impact deletoriously on others. If brothels were legalised, tax, ni etc paid, every interested person would be happier and the cost to the taxpayer reduced.

I for one would rather see the police having resources freed up to tackle other crime and anti-social behaviour.

Posted by: malkym on 6:46pm Thu 8 May 08
W-E-L-L S-A-I-D D-A-V-E, E-X-T-E-R-M-I-N-A-T-
E R-F-M!
Posted by: amlorusso, Swindon on 1:21am Fri 9 May 08
I understand the point about not posting your full address on a public forum, which is why Robert suggested name and postcode.

Given my user i.d. on this is my real name, and fairly obviously a real name, it wouldn't have been the hardest thing in the world for a determined individual to find where I live, so I'm not losing any sleep over it. Besides name and postcode isn't much safer either.

I just wanted to watch Robert dodge the issue of standing up and being counted for my views, and not his interpretation of my views, when I did post my name and postcode. Like I knew he would.
Posted by: HoneyPie, The Shire on 9:29am Fri 9 May 08
AML - I really admire your stand on this. I doubt that the person who called for this action will, though.

He crows about how he is right on so many issues, but is suddenly 'too busy working' to acknowledge that he just might have been both wrong and - in my opinion - extremely rude in the suggestion he made about people being sad and perverted to suggest a common-sense approach to a problem. What does this tell us, I wonder?

I think Europe must really be to blame, you know...
Posted by: amlorusso, Swindon on 4:09am Sat 10 May 08
HoneyPie,

I belive that prostitution is never going to be licenced. Robert explained the reason why, to licence this is to publicly acknowledge it as being "okay" or "acceptable" and I believe the majority of people in this country, and not just on this list, will not accept that.

The most practical solution I believe, give this, is that kerb crawling and soliciting must remain illegal, I don't think anybody there is any argument against the public nuisance of these behaviours.

Beyond that prostitution should be decriminalised. Primarly that means having more than one person in a single building should not remain a criminal act.

Ironically, this should be the attitude of those who oppose govenment interfering with people's private lives, but as is so often with the case of political movements that oppose government intervention in people's lives "the so called nanny state", they are frequently at the front of the quue to call for legislation when they want to interfere with people's private lives, and their claim of morality falls flat when any number of immoralities and social problems are not made illegal, mostly because they enjoy such things, alchohol and tobacco being the prime example.

But the biggest problem that needs to be tackled is sex-trafficking, and other criminal explotations, something that will exist whatever the laws regarding buying and selling of sex are.
Posted by: mavis, Swindon on 6:18pm Sat 10 May 08
I don't know why Prostitutes can be proud of what they do. They get more help from do gooders who would be better off speding their time helping those in genuine need, not a bunch of Whores
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