Prostitution and sexual exploitation

This Government is keen to tackle the demand side of prostitution. A co-ordinated Prostitution Strategy was launched by the Home Office in January 2006 outlining activity on prevention, developing routes out of prostitution and ensuring justice can significantly reduce the numbers involved.

Following the recent Tackling Demand Review, the Home Secretary announced proposals to outlaw paying for sex with someone 'controlled for another person's gain'. Also announced was a crackdown on kerb-crawlers which will ensure that kerb-crawlers can be prosecuted on a first offence, and new powers to close premises associated with prostitution which will allow police to close exploitative brothels for a period of three months. To read more click here.

In January 2008 the Government Equalities Office published the Women Not for Sale report, which highlights the scope and scale of advertising women, and services supplied by women, in personal classifieds. The Ministers for Women met with the Newspaper Society to discuss working together to tackle this issue. The Society has revised its guidance to members to ensure it reflects concerns about trafficking and a number of regional newspapers have banned these types of adverts. To read the press release click here.