Dispatches Channel 4 Programme
Secrets Nightclubs Speak out About Dispatches ‘Hidden Camera' Programme
The Secrets Group have spoken out about the Dispatches television programme aired on Channel 4 this October.
The show, which aimed to expose the seedy side to lap dancing clubs, had two reporters visit various venues in order to see what happens inside a lap dancing club.
Although the programmes intentions were to investigate whether government guidelines on this form of entertainment were being adhered to, as well as the licensing laws surrounding these clubs, the programme did not really deliver a balanced view.
One reporter, who posed as a dancer, attended one of the Secrets venues for an audition (and was not engaged) and quizzed staff about rules on body contact. She was told quite clearly that Secret's house rules are to stick to a ‘one foot rule' for some new dancers in which any dancer is not allowed to get closer than one foot to the customer. This is not a condition of the license.
The other reporter, posing as a customer, visited several clubs of which, at least three (probably five) were part of The Secrets Group. He secretly filmed some of the dancers performing and then showed it to a licensing expert who stated that the camera angles made it unclear whether or not the dancer actually made contact.
On visiting another of the Secrets club's, the undercover reporter was allegedly propositioned for sex by dancers but when asked by Secrets to reveal their identity so it could be investigated properly, the filmmakers declined.
Viv Turner of Secrets Marketing commented;
"The actions of the dancer were in no way authorised or condoned by The Secrets Group who is proud to have a good relationship with both the Police and Local Authorities and always treat any inappropriate behaviour very seriously."
"Many of the Secrets venues are actually visited regularly by Channel 4 workers who could all attest to the fact that all dancers are carefully monitored in order to maintain licensing laws and regulations."
Viv Turner of Secrets Marketing continued;
"This monitoring is for the safety of both the customers and the dancers; therefore, any dancer not adhering to the rules would be doing so on their own initiative and would be in no way be supported or condoned by The Secrets Group."
Maybe the reporter's intentions were genuine (although we doubt it) but the programme was one sided and showed only the ‘sleazy' side of lap dancing. Many gentlemen's clubs, especially Secrets, are seen as ‘high class' establishments, frequented by both men and women from all walks of life.
Most dancers have worked hard to shed the image reflected in the programme and many dancers performing in these clubs see themselves as professional dance artists and not just strippers.
Secrets offered a spokesperson to be interviewed live on camera but the offer was declined.
In response to the Dispatches programme, there has been much discussion on Internet forums regarding the content of the report. Interestingly, the majority of comments on these forums state that they believe the filmmakers offered nothing but a biased view of lap dancing and gentlemen's clubs. Evidence of this can be seen here.
