Decriminalisation increases sex workers’ safety and well-being. New Zealand decriminalised sex work in 2003 with verifiable success. Over 90% of sex workers said they had additional employment, legal, health and safety rights. One important measure of this is that prior to decriminalisation 47% of brothel workers had refused to see a client in the previous 12 months, after decriminalisation 68% of brothel workers had done this. 70% said they were more likely to report incidents of violence to the police.
For more information see our briefing Why Decriminalisation? and report Decriminalisation of Prostitution: the Evidence.
Prostitution has been a part of our society for centuries, but the women who engage in it are often overlooked.Whilst there are many reasons women become sex workers, the majority are forced into it by poverty, seeing it as last resort to earn money.At the moment in Britain, prostitution itself is not illegal but there […]
We support the application to the European Court of Human Rights (EHRC) to decriminalise loitering and soliciting and expunge criminal records. It is much needed and we hope it is successful.However, the campaign which initiated this legal action specifically states that it does not support the decriminalisation of sex work. This is divisive and flies […]
The evidence is clear that to build resilience to human trafficking in the sex industry, decriminalisation is the most effective approach, so that is what we support Fences are not comfortable places, yet when it comes to sex work anti-trafficking organisations are clambering for a perch. They like it up there because it keeps them […]
Whether to outlaw or decriminalise prostitution remains one of feminism’s most enduring, and divisive, questions. Now, as the UK once again considers calls to adopt the Nordic model, Lauren Crosby Medlicott takes a look at both sides of the debate…As a feminist, what do I think about sex work?The answer to that question troubles many […]
WATCH HERE. Watch more videos on iai.tv No bad women The case for the decriminalisation of sex work 3rd May 2021 There are no bad women, just bad laws. The English Collective of Prostitute’s Cari Mitchell argues for the decriminalisation of sex work, and explores the powerful role that outdated laws play in fostering a culture of […]
By Rachel Trafford, Immigration Advice Service content writer Today is International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. Credit: SWARM Paying for sex could become a criminal offence in England and Wales if Parliament approves a new Bill which claims to protect women from sexual exploitation. But criminalisation will only further harm people who are already marginalised, argues Rachel […]
Sex work is legal in the UK. But whilst the exchange of money between two adults for consensual sex is allowed, lots of activities surrounding sex work remain illegal. Laws on ‘brothel-keeping’ and ‘loitering and soliciting’ in particular have made sex workers’ lives significantly more difficult. This legislation prevents sex workers from working together from premises, and […]
Nicki and Leo speak to Nikki and Charlotte, campaigners from the English Collective of Prostitutes, a grassroots network of sex workers and supporters campaigning for decriminalisation and safety.
COVID-19 threatens both the lives and livelihoods of sex workers yet governments look the other way. A new publication seeks to help sex workers get their attention. Decriminalisation debates remain central to discussions about how to best address human trafficking. At the heart of these considerations are questions around whether trafficking can best be […]
The posters appeared on London’s underground over the weekend, which saw a sex workers strike on International Women’s Day. (Twitter/pastachips)An adhacking campaign advocating sex work decriminalisation has appeared on the London Undergound – to viral results.The new posters, which appeared during the London-wide sex worker’s strike on International Women’s Day, call for sex work to be […]