Feminist Regulatory Relationships with 'the Usefulness' of the Law and Sex

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There are ongoing discussions in activist, research, and policy circles about which legal regimes are able to limit or even abolish harms perceived to be associated with types of sexual conduct. This is particularly noticeable in contemporary legal efforts to regulate interactions between sex workers, their clients, and state actors. Despite the widespread and often contentious nature of these discussions, relatively limited attention has been paid to how 'the law' became the paramount response to problems of sexual conduct or whether this fixation has prevented other types of political organising.My doctoral research investigated how the law came to hold such a critical position as a 'useful tool' for contemporary feminist responses to problems of sexual conduct. Feminist responses are particularly fascinating to study because at other points of time many of its supporters and advocates treated the law with deep suspicion and were even repulsed by the idea it might be useful for achieving feminist objectives. My doctoral research revealed that the story of how the law became useful in feminist activist thinking is not only an interesting and often forgotten history, but also provides insights into the role law plays in shaping contemporary activist decisions. My research revealed how attitudes towards the usefulness of law impact who should do the photocopying at a feminist organisation, how activists should speak to one another, and what exactly is wrong when police introduce measures such as curfews. It also demonstrated that the law is intimately linked to how feminist identities are established, what activities become associated with 'doing feminism', and understandings of what objectives feminists should strive to achieve.Through the production of academic publications, accessible materials, and workshops with stakeholders, this project's overall objective is to build on these research findings to create conversations that encourage nuanced understandings of legal power. It hopes to expand non-academic audiences' perceptions of the 'usefulness' of law and its affects, moving beyond imaginations from court rooms and police raids. The project will encourage its beneficiaries to participate in strategic thinking about the consequences of what we do with the law. These conversations are potentially highly impactful on the work of activist organisations, academics and policy makers. It provides a new opportunity to recognise how our attitudes towards the law as useful shape our activities, identities and ways of living together.