New powers to regulate strip clubs and other adult entertainment venues will be introduced in West Dunbartonshire.
The council’s licensing committee last week agreed to impose a licensing regime – saying operators would otherwise be free to open sexual entertainment venues (SEV) unregulated.
The decision follows a public consultation last year, in which Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis said licences should not be introduced as they signal that “SEVs are legitimate and welcomed to operate”.
Responses were also received from five members of the public, with three people against the licensing plans.
In 2019, the Scottish Government passed legislation that allows councils to introduce a SEV licences for premises that provide adult entertainment.
It means local authorities can decide to limit their numbers and determine individual applications.
A SEV is defined as any premises at which sexual entertainment is provided before a live audience.
There are currently no such venues in West Dunbartonshire.
Councillors unanimously agreed to a motion by Lawrence O’Neill, with an added addendum by Councillor Ian Dickson, agreeing that the legislation would take effect in West Dunbartonshire after February 2.
It added: “The committee notes that by failing to introduce a licensing regime, operators would be free to open SEVs across West Dunbartonshire without oversight by the council.”
In their response to the consultation, Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis stated: “We do not support the operation of sexual entertainment 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).
“To achieve this, there must be increased targeting to redress the attitudes held and formed that provides an unacceptable level of tolerance towards VAWG in Scotland.
“This includes redressing and removing the entitlement held by boys and men to legitimately have the option and opportunity to receive sexual gratification and entertainment within SEVs.”
Scot-Pep, a national sex worker-led charity, also responded saying SEVs should be licensed.
They said it was “economically impractical” for such venues to open in the area but added: “Should the circumstances change and the demand for such a venue in West Dunbartonshire were to arise, setting the appropriate number of SEVs at nil right now will result in unlicensed strip clubs and pop-up venues proliferating, as well as demand for performances at private accommodation, for example stag nights at a holiday let.
“In all of these scenarios the performers end up working without health and safety measures in place, without appropriate security or CCTV, and any crimes that will be committed against them will go unreported.”
The council must first draft and publish a SEV policy statement before the licensing regime is introduced.
