Their views were made known to the adult entertainment working group, which was set up by the Scottish Executive to look into the extent of the industry, its impact on society and whether any changes in the law were needed.

Two senior figures from Dundee City Council, administration leader Jill Shimi and depute chief executive Patricia McIlquham, are members of the working group.

The consultation attracted more than 50 responses from councils, licensing boards, community safety partnerships, women’s groups and the Church of Scotland, along with individuals.

More than 80% of them said the adult entertainment industry should be controlled.

An analysis of the results found that 24% of respondents felt such activities and clubs should be banned or shut down.

It was, however, recognised by some that this might not be a realistic option, and therefore much tighter controls were required to protect the rights and physical and emotional health of the performers.

“The onus should be on the employers to enforce these controls, with the threat of heavy penalties if situations occur where the performers’ rights are compromised,” the analysis said.

Some of the suggestions made include giving local authorities the power to refuse licences, giving communities the right to object to licences being granted, regular monitoring to ensure compliance with licence conditions, restrictions on the way clubs are allowed to advertise and police background checks on licence holders.

The consultees’ views on the scope of the adult entertainment industry varied, although lap, pole and table dancing and stripping generally topped the list. Pornography, saunas and prostitution were also included.

The impact of adult entertainment was viewed as strongly negative on performers, the audience and the general public alike.

More than 60% felt performers were left feeling degraded, lacking in self-esteem, and open to abuse and at an increased risk of rape, sexual assault and harassment.

Concerns were also expressed about their health, including sexually transmitted infections, stress and alcohol or drug abuse.

A similar percentage thought audiences for adult entertainment “predominantly consisted of men, with women providing the performances for their pleasure … It was thought this presented a negative and demeaning view of women”.

It was also believed that men may develop “unhealthy attitudes”, damaging their relationships with women and having a knock-on effect on family life. There was also a significant degree of worry about the wider impact of the industry, with the risk that it promoted gender inequality and could lead to women being objectified by men and seen as inferior.

The analysis added, “Concerns were expressed about the link to criminal activity and organised crime, such as drug taking and drug dealing, and the effect that this has on society as a whole.

“This links to the possible health effects resulting from these activities, along with a possible increase in sexually transmitted infections which could result if the sexual activities involved are normalised and seen as acceptable.”

The findings will be considered by the working group as it continues its deliberations. It is due in April to make its recommendations on the future approach to the adult entertainment industry.