Prostitution

There are currently more than 80,000 people working in prostitution in the UK. The Home Office defines prostitution as ‘the exchange of sexual services for some form of payment’.

Prostitution preys on and exploits some of the most vulnerable in our society. With many people getting into it at a young age, the violence, drug dependency and chaotic lifestyle make it difficult to exit without support.   CARE advocates a compassionate, human rights approach to those involved in prostitution, rather than immediate fines and imprisonment as this does little to help people escape the cycle of involvement in commercial sexual exploitation.

For more information on prostitution please download the CARE briefing

UK Government response

The Home Office recently concluded a 6 month review, looking at how to tackle the demand for prostitution. CARE welcomed the review and took part in the process.  At the end of 2008 the Home Office announced changes to the law on prostitution, in order to reduce commercial sexual exploitation in the UK.  For more information on this, please click here.

In 2004 the Government issued a consultation document entitled ‘Paying the Price’ on the issue of dealing with prostitution, to which CARE responded. On Tuesday 17th January 2006 the Government published ‘A Coordinated Prostitution Strategy and a summary of the responses to Paying the Price.’ The results of the consultation indicate that the Government is genuinely serious about tackling the problems posed by prostitution and CARE broadly welcomed this Strategy although had some concerns.

CARE work closely with Beyond the Streets which exists to unite, equip and empower groups working with people involved in prostitution to offer freedom and change. Beyond the Streets has over 45 affiliated projects who work with around 4,000 people caught up in prostitution throughout the UK. Click here to visit their web site. 

Trafficking

Many women and children have been trafficked into prostitution – bought, sold and forced into the sex industry.

Prostitution is seen as a strong ‘pull’ factor for the demand of trafficked persons, mostly women and girls.

In particular the desire for cheap sexual labour in brothels and massage parlours has led to a greater demand for trafficked persons because they are considered to be cheaper and can often be exploited in even more horrific ways than those involved with prostitution that are of UK origin.

The UK’s cultural attitudes towards prostitution and the sex-industry mean that traffickers have found a ready-made market for their trade.

More Information