The stigma surrounding sex work, especially prostitution, manifests itself in violence against sex workers. In a 2013 report, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended decriminalizing sex work to reduce physical, sexual and emotional violence against sex workers. [6] WHO has noted that the stigmatization of prostitution perpetuated by its criminalization can lead to isolating prostitutes from their family and friends, a form of emotional violence. In some cases, this can lead to increased difficulties for sex workers to leave abusive relationships. The criminalization and consequent stigmatization of prostitution places power in the hands of abusive partners; For example, this means that they may threaten sex workers with losing custody of their children. The report also found that anti-prostitution measures can provide police with cover for abuse of prostitutes when prostitutes are imprisoned or arrested for work-related crimes. [7] For several reasons, prostitution was primarily an occupation of the working class. For many women, their path to prostitution was a circumstance. During the 19th century, the public began to face particular social problems; Conversely, a vision of the ideal woman began to develop as “The Angel in the House.” The rise of bourgeois domestic morality and the separation of men`s and women`s activities in segregated areas have made it increasingly difficult for women to find work, leading to an increase in areas such as the needle trade, commercial women, agricultural gangs, etc. factory work and domestic workers,[44] all occupations with long hours and low wages. Low incomes, it is argued,[45] meant that women had to resort to prostitution to support themselves and their families, especially in households where the main breadwinner was no longer there. A study from the late Victorian period showed that more than 90% of prostitutes at Millbank prison were daughters of “unskilled and semi-skilled workers”, of whom more than 50% had been domestic servants, with the rest working in cul-de-sacs such as laundry, charring (cleaning houses) and street vendors. [46] There are currently a number of different legal frameworks around the world with respect to prostitution.

The three most frequently cited are: “The existence of prostitution in our society is a highly emotional issue that often polarizes and triggers passionate debates with a range of views and positions. For example, some people will argue that prostitution is an intrinsically exploitative activity and should be challenged at all levels and will call for a zero-tolerance approach, others take the position that participation in sex work is a matter of personal choice for individuals who must be protected and respected by the police service and society at large. – The National Police Chiefs` Council Operational Guidance for Police Forces to Follow in Responding to Prostitution, National Policing Sex Work Guidance, December 2015. There are various offences related to prostitution committed by third parties. For example, it is a criminal offence to induce or incite another person to engage in prostitution in order to make a profit. [83] Pimping (controlling another person`s activities related to that person`s prostitution for profit) is also illegal. [84] Brothel keeping is also illegal. It is a criminal offence for a person to direct or manage a brothel, act or assist in the administration. [85] It should be noted that the definition of a brothel in English law is “a place where people may seek refuge for illicit sexual intercourse.” It is not necessary for the premises to be used for prostitution, since there is a brothel whenever more than one person offers sexual intercourse for a fee or free of charge. Thus, the ban on brothels includes premises where people go to non-commercial sexual encounters, such as some saunas and adult clubs.

[81] However, places frequented by men for sexual intercourse with a single woman are not brothels,[86] and this applies whether she is a tenant or not. [87] In practice, therefore, to avoid this crime, a prostitute who works privately must work alone. Also known as the Swedish model or the Sex Buyers Act, the Nordic model aims to end and thus eliminate the demand for prostitution. As the name suggests, this system has been adopted by many Nordic countries, including Sweden, Norway and Iceland, among others, such as France, Ireland and Northern Ireland. Under the Nordic model, the sale of sexual services is not illegal, but the purchase of sexual services – as well as many prostitution-related activities – is a criminal offence. In a subsequent law, some of the activities of prostitutes` clients were criminalized. The Sexual Offences Act 1985 created the two new offences of persistent crawling and poaching women for the purpose of prostitution. [63] However, the police guidelines provide practical guidance on how to deal with prostitution-related issues to ensure a consistent level of service while balancing the need to protect prostitutes from crime. The Strategic Principles of Prostitution Monitoring emphasize that those who sell sexual services should not be treated as criminals, but as persons who may be or become victims of crime. Prostitution should be addressed in partnership with other organizations and projects providing support services. Under the Sexual Offences Act 1956, it is a criminal offence to manage or market a brothel or to assist in the management of a brothel.

[79] Section 33a of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 also updated the Sexual Offences Act and made it a criminal offence for a person to run, direct or assist in the administration of a brothel that people use for prostitution (whether or not it is other practices). This article provided for a maximum penalty of seven years` imprisonment and at least six months. [80] “Criminalization” refers specifically to legislation that makes it illegal to sell sexual services, but can also apply to legal frameworks that make illegal activities closely related to sex work – such as keeping brothels or exploring brothels – or those that criminalize only certain individuals (e.g., clients).