Prostitution

(asked on 16th October 2017) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to adopt a strategy on prostitution which emphasises preventing women and girls entering prostitution and support women wishing to exit prostitution; what steps she plans to take to ensure that women are not penalised by the implementation of such a strategy; and if she will make a statement.


Answered by
Sarah Newton Portrait
Sarah Newton
This question was answered on 24th October 2017

The Government has set out in its Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy published in March 2016 that it is committed to tackling the harm and exploitation that can be associated with prostitution, and believes that people who want to leave prostitution should be given every opportunity to find routes out.

The Home Office has committed £150,000 to commission research into the nature and prevalence of prostitution in England and Wales. We believe that such an evidence base is vital prior to considering further changes to policy or legislation.

We have provided £389,000 to organisations which help those who want to leave prostitution and sex work. Merseyside PCC have also been awarded £650,000 from the VAWG Transformation Fund to provide a victim-focused service for sex workers who are victims, or at risk of sexual or domestic violence and abuse, exploitation or human trafficking.

We know that issues around prostitution are complex, and can impact on individuals in different ways. Local areas and police forces are in the best position to identify and respond to these issues, and are able to adapt their approach to take account of such complexities. They are supported in this by guidance developed by the National Policing Lead for prostitution.

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