The 3rd of March marks Sex Worker Rights Day, an important day of reflection, solidarity with sex workers and the continuation of advocacy. Today is aimed at highlighting the lack of labour protections and human rights sex workers face, with the hope to challenge discrimination, systematic violence and criminalisation.
The UK law directly affects working conditions for sex workers; the criminalisation of sex work affects safety in Leeds and across the country. This is not just a global issue, but one that is embedded into UK legislation.
Why does this conversation matter?
Policies which have been put in place in the last 20 years, have introduced several negative repercussions for sex workers in the UK. There is a severe gap between the legal framework which is introduced and the lived experience of those it targets.
To understand why this day matters, we must examine how current UK laws shape safety, housing and labour conditions.
The law
Under Section 33A- Sexual Offences Act 1956, it is an offence to manage, assist in management of or keep a brothel. It was set out with the intention to target exploitation however, the consequences of this are far from the expectations.
One fundamental issue with the bill is that the term brothel is broadly interpreted. Therefore, the term applies to 2 or more people working in the same space.
The lack of clarity over the definition means that it forces sex workers to work alone, increasing vulnerability and safety concerns. When sex workers are pushed into forced isolation, it places them at greater risk of violence and theft in hidden locations or constantly on the move. These consequences can have a direct impact on the economic position of those who sex work as well as their mental health, as lone working can result in lack of socialisation and community, as well as constant fear of danger.
It is important to note that laws enforced with the intention of preventing exploitation can unintentionally create conditions that increase dangers without proper consultation with sex workers.
Under Section 16 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009, persistent soliciting or loitering in a street or public space for the purpose of prostitution was criminalised. Persistent soliciting is defined as twice in three months. This primarily targets street-based sex workers, framing it as a problem in need of control, fuelling existing stigma. The bill was proposed and framed as a support legislative change, yet the realities are far more punitive.
The impact of this policy on sex workers has been highly significant on the daily lived experience and working conditions of street sex workers. This change in policy has a domino effect, with each impact having a direct consequence on the pattern of labour. For example, it has led to changes in the pattern of movement, with workers moving more frequently or the displacement to more dangerous areas to avoid the chance of being labelled as persistent. Consequently, workers have less time to assess and vet clients, which raises safety concerns and vulnerability to violence. Despite this, as evidence demonstrates consistently, criminilisation breaks down trust in the police and thus reporting is less likely.
The law does not reduce sex work; instead, it creates unsafe working conditions. Criminalisation reshapes the geography in ways that increase the dangers sex workers endure whilst working.
The s.51a Sexual Offences Act 2003 enforced the policy that criminalises soliciting another person in a street or public place for the purpose of obtaining sexual services, whether from that person or another.
This bill primarily targets clients and thus has a direct impact on the labour conditions for sex workers. Due to fear of prosecution, this can deter regular clients who were known to be safe to those who sex work. Consequently, this can increase vulnerability to violence as safer clients are deterred.
It also provides less opportunity and time for sex workers to assess their clients, which can increase the risk of violence.
What you can do
One of the strongest things that you can do to be an ally to sex workers is to email your MP. Whether you support the right of people selling sex to work together for safety, to access safe and stable housing, to access appropriate and non-stigmatising healthcare, to achieve greater autonomy and independence at work, or to have stronger abilities to access legal remedies when their rights are not met or they experience harm at work – share with your MP why decrim matters to you and how it will make your community safer.
We also recommend following the work of sex-worker led organisations across the UK and beyond to find out about other opportunities you can support, including Decrim Now and the English Collective of Prostitutes, and other local collectives across the country. Keep up to date with their campaigns and find out about how you can continue to show your support for sex workers’ rights.
Basis Yorkshire also run CPD-certified training courses which focus on sharing best practice on working with women sex workers, understanding the law and how this impacts sex workers. Follow our Eventbrite to find out when the next one is running.
Get support
If you or someone you know needs support, please contact us:
Call: 0113 243 0036
Email: info-basis@basisyorkshire.org.uk
Or you can make a Referral if the waiting list is open.