A sharp increase in the number of women entering sex work, driven by economic hardship, has injected fresh urgency into the long-standing debate over how the trade should be regulated in the United Kingdom. Charities on the frontline report soaring demand for their services, highlighting the desperate circumstances pushing women into the industry and reigniting calls for legal reform.
Charities on the Frontline: A 76% Surge in Demand
As night falls in Bristol, volunteers from the charity One25 load their outreach van with essential supplies: condoms, clean underwear, sandwiches, and hot drinks. This mobile service meets women where they work, offering a rare safe haven. Tracey Tudor, a services manager, explains they provide "a safe space for women to have some respite from the street sex work," whether they need food, medical supplies, or simply to escape a violent situation.
Tracey is clear about the drivers behind this work: "This is often the last option that women will choose. They don't want to be out here." She cites a lack of social and economic safety nets, including access to benefits, housing, and healthcare, as fundamental failures. One25 has witnessed a staggering 76% increase in demand for its services over the past two years, a trend echoed by support groups nationwide who blame the ongoing cost of living crisis.
The Legal Quagmire: Criminalisation vs. Safety
The current legal framework in England and Wales is a patchwork. While selling sexual services is not illegal, related activities like soliciting in public or running a brothel are criminal offences. This places workers in a precarious position, where basic acts of safety can be deemed criminal. Sex worker Audrey, based in a Bristol brothel, illustrates this with a simple example: driving a friend to a booking for safety is technically illegal.
"You do have to constantly make that decision between, okay, should I work safely and risk myself breaking the law? Or do I work with the law and work alone, isolated and potentially in a lot of danger?" she asks. Audrey and many like her argue for full decriminalisation, allowing workers to organise and operate safely without fear of prosecution.
The Nordic Model Debate: Targeting Buyers
This view is passionately contested by others, including former Labour MP for Bristol West, Baroness Thangam Debbonaire. She advocates for adopting the so-called 'Nordic Model', already implemented in Sweden, Norway and Finland. This approach removes sanctions on sellers but criminalises those who buy sex.
"I don't think the existing laws are satisfactory, but to legalise the demand side... leaves men in a position of power," Baroness Debbonaire stated. She acknowledges differing experiences but emphasises research from survivors indicating legality did not guarantee safety. Her position is clear: legislation must "protect the largest number of people from the largest amount of harm."
The scale of the issue is underscored by data from Merseyside, where the charity Changing Lives reports the number of local online sex adverts rocketing from around 180 to 1,400 in just one year. With the Home Office currently considering how best to support those impacted by prostitution and sexual exploitation, the pressure for a definitive political response is mounting. The stark reality faced by an increasing number of women ensures this complex and emotionally charged debate will remain at the forefront of social policy discussions.
