Adult industry trade association the Free Speech Coalition (FSC) announced today that UK-based UK-based industry veteran Vince Charlton is joining the organization to serve as the FSC’s Age Verification Policy Liaison, with a special focus on the UK and Europe, as FSC “works to more proactively engage legislators and regulators.”

“We can’t just battle bad legislation in the courts, we need to be involved in the rulemaking process from the beginning,” said Alison Boden, Executive Director of Free Speech Coalition. “Vince has extensive connections and experience, and can help us get into the rooms we need to be in. I’m incredibly thankful to have him on board, and grateful for his generosity in donating his time and experience. We’re all eager to get to work.”

Known for his management roles with UK-based platform AdultWork.com, FSC said in their announced that Charlton “has always maintained a strong focus on child protection and trafficking issues,” noting that he was “heavily involved in the age-verification debate over the Digital Economy Act through his previous pro-bono involvement with Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP).”

Charlton retired from AdultWork.com in September. Following retirement, Charlton said he felt the call to give something back to the industry through pro bono work.

“While I’m a staunch believer in the fight to prevent children from viewing adult content, I just as firmly believe in protecting the free speech rights of the industry,” Charlton said. “I’m looking to provide the FSC with a seat at the UK policy making table, where we can have a real voice. We need to kick back against the more disingenuous attacks on the industry whilst also exploring ways in which we can all work together to tackle the very real issue of underage access.”

For more information on the FSC and the organization’s work on behalf of the adult industry, go to FreeSpeechCoalition.com.