NUM statement in response to comments made by Bromley Councillor Shaun Slator
5 January 2023
NUM are extremely disappointed to read the comments recently made by Bromley Concillor Shaun Slator on social media. The comments, which suggest that a rape victim was merely a sex worker who was not paid, not only serve to perpetuate harmful myths regarding rape, but also minimise the serious harms sex workers experience. Non-payment is a form of violence against sex workers, and many sex workers define this as rape. This must be taken seriously.
NUM’s CEO, Dr. Raven Bowen, made this statement:
“Conservative Councillor Shaun Slator’s comments dangerously downplaying the seriousness of rape are abhorrent, at a time when charities, ending VAWG organisations, policing and the state are focused on ensuring that we take this crime seriously, and improve upon the findings of the 2021 end-to-end Rape Review by prioritising this violence and increasing investigations and criminalisation. Furthermore, and of great concern to National Ugly Mugs (NUM), is the trivialising of harms against sex workers by this public representative. Sex workers experience higher rates of sexual violence and other harms than the general public.”
“Sex work stigma and sentiments like these from people in power like Slator are precisely what NUM and our communities of sex workers and organisations must fight against. These attitudes are the reason why harms against sex workers were coded as NHI or ‘no humans involved’. The belittling of harms against sex workers promotes violence against this population and serve as obstacles when sex workers come forward to report violence. NUM and other groups fight against the violence that Slator represents in his comments so that sex workers are believed when they are harmed, that they receive adequate protections and responses to violence that they survive, and that they have a pathway to justice as they define it. Those who violate sex workers, due to their marginalisation and limited power, target vulnerability. Slator, the punter who didn’t pay today will victimise someone else tomorrow. Think about why a woman would be out at 4am, and what you, as a public representative, should be doing to end women’s poverty in the context of our cost-of-living crisis. Also, reflect upon your comment that women shouldn’t be out at night and that if they are, they are sex workers. Women should be safe to enjoy public spaces at all times of day and night. Instead of forcing women to be diurnal, end men’s violence against us.”
“I expect an apology from you and would be happy to meet with you to help educate you on why protecting sex workers is a critical and essential part of ending VAWG and improving overall community safety.”
NUM has shared this statement with Bromley Council and Councillor Slator.
Update 9th March 2023:
NUM has communicated with Councillor Slator. We have not received an apology for the comments made, and have decided against meeting with him.
We are available to support sex workers in the Bromley area and across London and beyond to prevent and heal from violence. If you would like to get in touch with our team, please email casework@nationaluglymugs.org, or call us on 0800 464 7669.