The Policing and Crime Bill

Clause 14 has passed through Report Stage last night un-amended.

Clause 14

Clause 14 (formerly Clause 13) of the Policing and Crime Bill aims to protect vulnerable and exploited people by shifting the focus of the law onto those who create the demand for prostitution. The clause makes it an offence to pay for sex with someone who is subjected to force, deception or threats. It is a strict liability offence meaning that proof of knowledge that the victim is under force is not needed. Download our briefing HERE

Baroness Scotland,the Government Minister in the Lords last night said “We are faced with a choice tonight: do we speak for the victims, do we stand up for those who have no voice for themselves, do we stand in the breach for them—or do we provide a cloak of anonymity and protection for those who do not wish to face what they do when they purchase sex from a woman or a man, quite often of tender years, who has been coerced or forced into that position?

I need to be clear that the Government’s view is that those who purchase sex from people in that position commit a wrong. They enable a situation that is avoidable to continue. We have a choice tonight to decide on which stand we will set our mark. Who will we support, and who will we defend?”

Because the amendments on the Clause were pushed to a vote, it can now not be altered at the last stage in the Lords – third reading. Clause 14 will become law in a few months.

To read the full debate click HERE

Your help is needed

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Resources

Download the CARE briefing on Clause 14 (formerly Clause 13)

Background

Trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation is currently a high profit, low risk venture for those who trade in people. It has been reported that some drug trafficking gangs have switched to people trafficking as there is more money to be made and less risk of being caught. Many British women in prostitution in the UK also find themselves in exploitative situations. With many getting into it at a young age, the violence, drug dependency and chaotic lifestyle make it difficult to exit without support.

One of the root causes of prostitution is the demand. Criminalising the buying of sexual services in exploitative situations is a significant part of reducing prostitution and sex trafficking as it directly tackles the demand which cultivates the industry. Until the root causes of sex trafficking and other forms of sexual exploitation through prostitution are sufficiently addressed, attempts to diminish the phenomenon will be limited.

The Policing and Crime Bill is currently making its way through the House of Lords. The next stage is Report Stage where it will be voted on, expected in October.

Clause 13 of the Policing and Crime Bill aims to protect vulnerable and exploited people by shifting the focus of the law onto those who create the demand for prostitution. The clause makes it an offence to pay for sex with someone who is subjected to force, deception or threats. It is a strict liability offence meaning that proof of knowledge that the victim is under force is not needed.

Finland has already passed a similar law but wilthout the strict liability element.

The Finnish Parliament voted in June 2006 to pass legislation that criminalises the buying of a sexual service from a victim of human trafficking or from someone who is a victim of procurement. In order to successfully prosecute a buyer of a sexual service, evidence has to be provided that the man in questions knew that he purchased (and sexually) exploited a woman who is a victim of trafficking in human beings, or who is under the control of a pimp. As of June 2009, only two cases had resulted in convictions since the law was passed three years earlier.

More information

If you would like to chat to someone about getting more involved with advocacy to end trafficking you can contact us at: e: public.affairs@care.org.uk t: 020 7227 4717

Click here to download CARE’s human trafficking briefing pack.