Decriminalise prostitution to promote safety

Even though their job is legal, prostitution laws prevent women from working together. Sex workers often have to choose between keeping safe and possible arrest, or avoiding a criminal record and putting themselves in danger. No woman should be put in danger by the law.

About two-thirds of sex workers have suffered violence. Most sex workers are mothers supporting families, prevented from leaving prostitution by poverty.

The Home Affairs Committee recommended that sex workers be decriminalised. Amnesty International called on governments to decriminalise sex work and address poverty by providing a social safety net. New Zealand successfully decriminalised in 2003, improving sex workers’ safety, health and welfare.

We call on the UK government to promote safety by implementing the Home Affairs Committee recommendation to introduce legislation to decriminalise sex workers working on the street and together in premises.

Commissioned by the English Collective of Prostitutes.

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The Government is committed to tackling the harm and exploitation that can be associated with prostitution, and we take the need to protect people involved in prostitution from violence very seriously. Regardless of the legal position of prostitution, the law on rape and sexual assault is clear and unequivocal. We expect every report of sexual violence and rape to be treated seriously from the time it is reported, every victim to be treated with dignity, and every investigation and prosecution to be conducted thoroughly and professionally.

We are aware of different legislative approaches to prostitution around the world, such as those in New Zealand and in Scandinavia, and we are also aware of recent legislative developments in Northern Ireland. However, we do not currently have the evidence to demonstrate that a change in the UK’s prostitution legislation would be effective in protecting the vulnerable, which remains our priority. The law around prostitution in the UK is therefore focused on tackling the exploitation and harm that can be caused to those involved.

We continue to work closely with the police, Crown Prosecution Service, other front-line agencies and wider partners to ensure the legislation achieves these aims. The National Police Chief’s Council recently updated its National Policing Sex Work and Prostitution Guidance, in which the safeguarding of those involved in sex work is prioritised.