The founder of one of the largest agencies for "skimpies" in Western Australia has accused an activist group — who is campaigning for the end of the practice — of perpetuating stereotypes.

In Western Australia, particularly mining towns, stumbling across a topless or scantily-clad barmaid serving beers is not an unusual sight.

But it is one Caitlin Roper, from the not-for-profit group Collective Shout, wants to see end.

"The reality is this is an industry that is fuelled by male demand," she said.

"It's one where women are objectified, reduced to objects for men's use and enjoyment, and there's no justification in my mind for an industry that is based on this," she said.

The campaign against skimpy barmaids has gathered momentum after a tavern in Perth had an application for topless, g-string entertainment knocked back by the Director of Liquor Licensing.

Ms Roper said the so called "sexploitation venues" are reducing women to mere objects for men's use and enjoyment, and argues the practice can lead to violence against women.

Natalie Katherine Baker, 41, runs one of the largest booking agencies for skimpy barmaids in Australia.

She said the practice in no way objectifies workers, and Collective Shout was ignoring the views of women who chose to pursue the job.

"We are women and we have a choice to do what we please," she said.

"I feel that they're ignoring, I feel that they think that our voice doesn't matter.

"So we're here stepping up to say we wish to continue and we are women so please respect us."

But Ms Roper said her group had spoken to former skimpy barmaids who found the experience demeaning and traumatic.

"These women in this position were supposed to put forward this persona like they love it and they're bubbly and they enjoy it, but that's part of the job... that's part of what the men are paying for really," he said.

'Most men respectful'

Geraldton-based underground miner, Daniel McCullouch, frequents skimpy bars and said he was offended by the notion that men are not able to appreciate skimpies as human beings, rather than objects.

"That basically says as a male, who has gone to these venues, seen skimpies, seen strippers, watched pornography... that by default... I'm therefore going to be less respectful to women, possibly by violent against women and that's just not the case," he said.

Mr McCullouch admits to having a "cheeky perve" when a skimpy is around, but said the majority of men are respectful.

He said Collective Shout's campaign is disempowering women in the industry.

"That to me is less respectful towards the women who want to do the job because that's trying to remove their rights and their choice and you're basically saying that they don't have that right or capacity to form a career choice that suits them," he said.

Ms Baker, who has worked in the industry for more than two decades, said her staff were incensed by Collective Shout's stance.

"It makes us angry at these strangers, who don't know us…speaking for us or acting like we're doing something wrong to womankind, as if it were some kind of bimbos who are selling women out pandering to men's desire to ogle our bodies," she said.

"Or that we're being be exploited by somebody in this regard… there are male strippers too, and there is a rising demand for ladies' nights."

The CEO of the Australian Hotels Association Bradley Woods said skimpy barmaids were here to stay.

"I think we're living in 2017, we're not living in the 1950s anymore, and people are not forced to work in that environment particularly if they choose to cross borders and travel interstate," he said.