A rape crisis charity has voiced its concerns at the idea of licensing sexual entertainment venues (SEVs) in West Dunbartonshire. 

Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis said whilst increased regulation and licensing would increase scrutiny of such venues, and their compliance with the rules, it could send a message that SEVs are seen as "legitimate and welcomed to operate".

In September, local residents and organisations were asked whether or not SEVs in the area should be licensed as part of a consultation launched by West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC).

Participants were asked for their views on whether licenses should be required to regulate SEVs, how many venues should be allowed to operate, and where they should operate.

The consultation followed changes to government legislation, first introduced in 1982, which gave council licensing committees the power to decide whether SEVs should be licensed.

A SEV is defined as any premises at which sexual entertainment is provided before a live audience.

There are currently no venues in West Dunbartonshire that would require to hold a SEV license, but the council's licensing committee will meet on February 2 to decide whether a licensing scheme should be put in place for any such venue in the future.

Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis stated that it does not support the operation, let alone the licensing, of such venues.

They said in their consultation response: “We do not support the operation of Sexual Entertainment Venues (SEVs).

"Licensed or not, SEVs permit the commercial sexual exploitation of women and continued objectification of their bodies meaning that an SEV's existence is in direct conflict with Scotland’s own Equally Safe vision seeking to prevent and eradicate violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Scotland.”

The National SEV Coalition, a group of adult performers, allies, and academics from around the UK, said that based on years of “collective lived experience”, said it did not believe venues should be licensed - but for different reasons.

A spokesperson said: “Our view, based on years of collective lived experience, is that these establishments should not be subjected to an additional licensing requirement in addition to existing premises licences for the selling of alcohol.

“For a start, SEV licences introduce obligations that tend to be counterproductive.

"Expensive yearly licence renewal processes are a disincentive for venue management to invest in the upkeep of their venues which not only creates a health and safety problem for the people who work in them but can also sometimes lead to the perception that they are ‘seedy’ because they are run down.

"It also takes away from investing in better security.

"A wide range of people enjoy striptease entertainment and work as strippers - there might be people on your committee who are regular customers, and you might have people in your social or family circle who have been or are currently dancers."

In contrast, SCOT PEP, a national sex worker-led charity, told the council it backed the licensing of SEVs.

A statement reads: “We strongly believe that SEVs in Scotland in West Dunbartonshire should be licensed.

“Unlicensed and unregulated venues will not provide people working there with the safety and rights that should extend to all workers in Scotland.

“We hope that applicants for such licenses will be thoroughly screened for a history of labour rights violations or indications of sexual harassment, and that the licenses will come with terms that protect labour rights, health and safety of performers and other workers at SEVs.”

At present, there is no legal requirement for SEVs to be licensed in Scotland.

For further information and to read each response in full, click here (scroll down to page 9).