On October 1, adult content creators in France gathered at the Esplanade des Invalides in Paris to protest a proposed law titled Integral Against Sexual and Sexist Violence, which they argue threatens their rights. The demonstration, organized by the collective "Catts" (Telework Sex Workers), included slogans such as "Pédos en liberté, TDS traqué.e.s" and "Tout nommer proxénétisme = destruction de nos droits." The proposed law, currently under review in the National Assembly, seeks to classify remote sexual acts for payment as part of prostitution, targeting platforms like Onlyfans and Mym.
The article in question, Article 25, aims to criminalize the purchase of such acts through intermediaries and users, extending the legal framework from the physical world to the virtual one. According to Isabelle Rauch, a co-rapporteur of the bill from the Horizons party, this measure seeks to penalize clients and intermediaries in the digital sphere, similar to the physical world. However, Madeleine Rousset, a Catts activist and adult content creator, warns that this article could "precarize" creators, pushing them to less regulated and potentially dangerous platforms like Telegram, Snapchat, or the dark web.
The debate centers on the definitions of prostitution, pornography, and the role of intermediaries like Onlyfans managers, who help creators develop their content. Isabelle Rauch clarifies that the law targets prostitution, not pornography, and distinguishes between subscription-based content and individualized sexual acts. Zoé Faucher, a member of Catts, argues that being an online sex worker is a choice she has made, emphasizing the autonomy of creators.
The proposal has sparked divisions within the National Assembly. The Ecologist and Social group has proposed an amendment to remove Article 25, arguing it conflates remote content creation with physical sex work, which have different protection and recognition needs. The government has also introduced an amendment targeting the exploitation by Onlyfans managers, applying human trafficking criteria to online sexual content. Catts agrees on the need to regulate Onlyfans managers but argues that repression will not solve the issue, as criminalizing creators could push them toward these intermediaries.
The debate over the proposed law is expected to be lengthy, reflecting broader disagreements over the nature of sex work and the balance between protection and personal freedom.
French Adult Content Creators Protest New Anti-Sexual Violence Legislation
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