September 22, 2008: New Prostitution Rules Supporting Trafficked Women

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has announced plans to shift legal responsibility to those who pay for sex when the prostitute involved has been forced into that role. In a Manchester speech, the Home Secretary said the changes will make it illegal to pay for sex with someone 'controlled for another person's gain'.

Police will also be given powers to close brothels for a period of three months, even without evidence of antisocial behaviour or use of Class A drugs. The changes are designed to protect vulnerable people who have been trafficked into the country.

The changes follow a 6-month review into tackling the demand for prostitution. The research explored both the legislative and non-legislative options available, and looked into the experiences of other countries, including Sweden and the Netherlands.

The Home Secretary also announced a change in the law regarding kerb-crawlers that would mean they could be prosecuted after a first offence. Under current law, prosecutors must prove that they have acted persistently. Ms Smith commented:

’The government has a responsibility to protect those who have been groomed for or trafficked into prostitution, or those who remain involved for fear of violence from a partner or a pimp. So we will start work to outlaw paying for sex with someone forced into prostitution at another's will, or controlled for another's gain.’

Harriet Harman, the Minister for Women and Equality, added:

'We must protect women from being victims of human trafficking - the modern slave trade. The trade only exists because men buy sex, so to protect women we must stop men buying sex from the victims of human trafficking.