Jacqui Smith, Home Secretary and Harriet Harman, Minister for Women
and Equality announced on Sunday 21st September that the Government
will legislate to toughen up licensing of lap dancing clubs.

Read about it here:
http://www.labour.org.uk/jacqui_smith_speech,2008-09-21

And here :
http://www.celiabarlow.org.uk/523e8aab-d51b-f804-f908-83180960898b

In announcing plans to legislate the Government stated that under
current licensing:

"Difficulties arise where residents and local authorities try to use
the current legislation to tackle general concerns about these clubs
being situated in a particular area (for example, near schools,
historic tourist areas or churches) or because of concerns about
equality, public decency, obscenity and the sexual exploitation of women".

This is a crucial step towards challenging the normalisation of lap
dancing clubs – which since being placed in the same licensing
category as cafes and restaurants have doubled in number across the
UK, contributing to a sex object culture that underpins discrimination
and violence based on gender.

However - there is still some way to go to ensure that the legislation
passes.

Object and Fawcett Society – campaigning jointly on this issue - would
like to thank everyone who has helped create public pressure and
played a VITAL role in the campaign so far.

This role will continue to be crucial in the coming months to ensure
that the law becomes a reality – more details to follow shortly!

In solidarity, Sandrine