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.

UK Government response

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 has broadly welcomed this Strategy. However there are a few key concerns that CARE still has about the practical implementation of this strategy and the bigger issue of the sex industry as a whole.

For CARE’s full response to this strategy click here

CARE work closely with the National Christian Alliance on Prostitution (NCAP) which exists to unite, equip and empower groups working with people involved in prostitution to offer freedom and change. NCAP 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