Topic primer

We believe that each person matters, and vulnerable people should be protected. Human beings are made in the image of God, different from the rest of creation. (Genesis 1:26-27, Psalm 8). The Bible reminds us of God’s particular concern for those who are vulnerable, weak and exploited by others and He calls on His people to show compassion and justice (Micah 6, Psalm 82:3-4, Isaiah 58:6). The Bible also teaches us that sexual intimacy is something to be shared with mutual respect and love (1 Corinthians 7) not to exploit someone’s vulnerability.

Prostitution is profoundly harmful and exploitative for those involved in selling sexual services, causing physical and psychological harm. Although a small number of people say they have made a free choice to enter prostitution, for most it is a result of poverty, coercion, abuse or a lack of other options.

Some get involved in selling sexual services at a young age. Many have experienced abuse in childhood with Home Office data showing 45% report experience of sexual abuse and 85% physical abuse during their childhood. Many have spent time in local authority care.

Studies show that high numbers of women in prostitution have experienced coercion from a partner, pimp or relative and that incidents of violence are much higher than in the rest of society. Drug and alcohol misuse is a problem for many. Numerous studies have found between 50% and 95% of women in street prostitution are addicted to Class A drugs. The links between prostitution and organised crime are also well established.

There is also a link between prostitution and trafficking for sexual exploitation. Whilst most people in prostitution have not been trafficked, many women and children are trafficked to provide sexual services. In the EU 69% of all trafficking victims identified have been trafficked for sexual exploitation. Research indicates that a large proportion of women in prostitution are migrants, many of whom have been trafficked or are vulnerable to exploitation.

The law in England & Wales has traditionally focussed on removing prostitution from public places and addressing those who organise or control prostitution. Neither paying for sexual services nor providing sexual services for payment are illegal. However, many of the activities around prostitution are prohibited including brothel-keeping, controlling prostitution (pimping) and soliciting in a public place to buy (often called “kerb-crawling”) or to sell sexual services.

More needs to be done to address demand for commercial sexual exploitation CARE supports the ‘Nordic Model’, where it is a criminal offence to purchase sexual services – targeting those who pay for sex, and recognising the vulnerability of those who sell sexual services. This model was adopted in Northern Ireland in 2015, and has also been adopted by Canada, France and the Republic of Ireland.

There also needs to be better support programmes for those who want to exit prostitution. There is evidence that many of those in prostitution would like to stop, but they face significant barriers in doing so. In particular, they need tailored drug treatment, safe and supported housing, mental health support, financial counselling and access to education and training programmes. Unfortunately, where they do exist these vital exit projects are often under-funded. We are urging all UK governments to increase access to these services.

We believe that God has compassion on those who are most vulnerable and that as Christians we have a responsibility to work for a world where people are protected from exploitation and can find hope and restoration.