Sex entertainment venues could be effectively banned by Highland Council amid serious concerns of abuse associated with strip clubs as the north's only such venue labelled the allegations 'fantasy' but it could still be forced to close depending on a crunch vote on Monday
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Serious concerns about violence and exploitation of women in sexual entertainment venues could see the Highlands’ only strip bar close.
On Monday, the area’s licensing committee will consider powerful public consultation responses and if they are incorporated into Highland Council policy then it could spell the end for Private Eyes in Inverness.
The committee will decide whether to include the responses in the draft sexual entertainment venue policy, as well as agree the standard conditions for sexual entertainment venues (SEVs) in the region.
Contributions from NHS Highland and groups like Highland Violence Against Women Partnership, among others, call for the number of SEVs to be set at zero.
Yet, if a request not to allow such venues near bus or railways stations is accepted it could prove problematic for Private Eyes, which is just yards from Farraline bus station.
Possibly the strongest response came from the Highland Violence Against Women Partnership (HVAWP), written by chairman DCI Donald MacDonald.
He said: “There has been extensive research, first-hand testimonies and statistical evidence gathered over many years which provides evidence that SEVs are not harmless entertainment places.
“Sexual entertainment venues are places where the abuse of young girls and women is rife and where the degradation of those trapped in poverty is normalised. Routes into ‘performing’ range from abusive childhoods, human trafficking and lack of perceived alternatives.
“Verbal, physical and sexual harassment and assault of lap dancers is standard and constant.
“This is carried out by punters and staff alike. Assault includes GBH, stalking, rape and gang rape.
“They’ve been bottled. Drunk, half-naked dancers have been dumped in the street. Underage dancers, non-payment, prostitution and trafficking are also not uncommon. The culture of normalisation, denial and intimidation ensures reports are rarely made.”
Though there is no suggestion that Private Eyes is accused of those abuses, it is clear that HVAWP views SEVs as deeply troublesome.
That was supported by a separate response from NHS Highland which looked at the question as a public health issue and was in no doubt that women working as lap dancers faced physical and psychological health issues.
It stated: “Adverse childhood experiences describe stressful or traumatic events occurring during childhood, such as physical or verbal abuse or neglect; sexual abuse; parental separation; problem substance use; incarceration; mental ill health; or domestic violence.
“Such experiences can lead to an increased risk of ill health later in life.”
It concluded: “Sex clubs benefit only the owner at a great cost to the performers, our communities and the health of our citizens.”
Both NHS Highland and the HVAWP complained that the draft policy did not seek to establish the number of SEVs at zero but in a response from council officers it is clear this has been left to elected members to decide rather than officials.
A council officer said: “It remains open to the committee in light of the consultation responses received to determine whether further consideration is required in respect of setting a maximum number of SEVs that can operate within the Highlands.
“Members will note that it remains within the authority of the committee to set the maximum number at zero (zero being that no SEVs are entitled to operate within the Highlands).”
But a more basic issue – the location of SEVs in areas considered appropriate – could deal the heaviest blow. If councillors agree that they should not be near travel hubs where families go, Private Eyes may struggle to get a licence.
Though officers did acknowledge that “it would be very hard to specify all areas that may lead to a congregation of persons, including children” while the usual operating hours “should prevent children and young persons being in the vicinity” at those times.
A spokesman for Private Eyes reacted strongly to the allegations about the business branding them “fantasy” – particularly claims about rape, human trafficking, assault and prostitution.
“I looked at the allegations and the comments are beyond belief and I would love to know where this information comes from,” he said.
“The sources of the quotes are either English or from the USA and have no relevance to our well run operations in Scotland.
“We have been operating Private Eyes throughout Scotland now for 24 years trouble-free and there have been no instances of any of the outrageous allegations made specifically by NHS Highland.
“We have full club rules for both how dancers should behave and we have a duty of care to both staff and another for customers.
“We take pride in having dancers working with us for, in some cases, 20 years because of the safe and friendly environment.
“In the whole of Scotland in all the various clubs there has never been a case of either human trafficking or prostitution or under age dancers in over 25 years.
“Their accusations are shameful. A simple question to police Scotland would answer that. These are the best run licensed premises with no history of any major problems.”
Related Story – People across the Highlands are called on to have their say on a new policy for the licensing of lapdancing clubs in the region
