Crime and Policing Bill

Written Evidence Submitted by an Independent Sex Worker (CPB37)

Executive Summary

· I have been a sex worker in the UK for five years, and the proposed criminalisation of the sale of sex would have devastating consequences for my safety, financial stability, and basic rights.

· The ability to screen clients through online services is crucial to my personal security. Removing these services would force me and others into riskier and more vulnerable situations.

· The introduction of similar laws in other countries has led to increased violence, greater financial instability, and fewer safety options for sex workers.

· The Nordic Model, which criminalises buyers rather than sellers, has been shown to increase violence against sex workers, drive the industry further underground, and create more opportunities for illegal trafficking and exploitation.

· The proposed legislation will increase homelessness among sex workers, as many rely on their income to afford housing. Criminalisation will force people into desperate circumstances, leading to greater reliance on unsafe alternatives.

· I urge the Committee to reject these harmful proposals and instead consider full decriminalisation, as recommended by leading human rights organisations.

Introduction

1. I am an independent sex worker who has been working in the UK industry for five years. My work is my livelihood, and I choose to do it under conditions that prioritise my safety and autonomy.

2. The proposed criminalisation of the sale of sex would strip me of my ability to work safely, forcing me into dangerous alternatives.

3. I am submitting this written evidence to highlight the realities of sex work in the UK, the dangers of removing essential services, and the urgent need for policies that prioritise harm reduction and safety.

Impact on Safety and Well-being

4. The ability to screen clients is essential for sex workers to vet potential risks, arrange safe working environments, and communicate with support networks.

5. If these protections are removed, sex workers like myself will be left with few options other than working on the street or relying on third parties, both of which increase risks of violence and exploitation.

6. The introduction of the FOSTA/SESTA laws in the United States led to an immediate rise in violence against sex workers, as people were forced into more precarious conditions. The same would happen in the UK if these proposals are enacted.

7. Without access to digital screening tools, it will become harder to share safety warnings, report dangerous individuals, and track those who pose a risk to the community.

8. Criminalisation does not eliminate sex work; it only removes the ability to work safely. Sex workers will still need to earn a living, but they will have fewer protections against dangerous individuals.

The Dangers of the Nordic Model

9. Some proponents of criminalisation suggest implementing the Nordic Model, which makes buying sex illegal while decriminalising sellers. However, this model has been widely criticised for worsening conditions for sex workers.

10. Evidence from countries that have adopted the Nordic Model, such as Sweden, Norway, and France, shows that it drives sex work underground, making it harder for workers to report crimes, access support, or screen clients.

11. Under the Nordic Model, clients fear legal repercussions and are less willing to share personal information, making it harder for sex workers to vet them before a meeting.

12. Research has shown that sex workers in Nordic Model countries face higher levels of violence, are more vulnerable to robbery, and are less able to negotiate safer working conditions.

13. The criminalisation of clients creates a power imbalance where clients feel emboldened to demand unsafe practices, knowing that sex workers have fewer options and less negotiating power.

14. Additionally, when legal avenues for sex work are restricted, illegal operations thrive. This means that traffickers and exploitative third parties gain more control over the industry, leading to an increase in coerced and trafficked individuals rather than reducing it.

15. A 2019 study on the impact of the Nordic Model in France found that since its implementation, there was a significant increase in violence against sex workers, financial instability, and a higher risk of being pushed into exploitative situations.

16. If the UK follows this model, the result will be an increase in illegal trafficking, as organised crime groups step in to fill the gaps left by legitimate businesses and independent workers being forced out.

Impact on Housing and Homelessness

17. Many sex workers support families, pay rent, and contribute to the economy. Criminalising our work will push many of us into financial hardship with no viable alternatives.

18. Without a stable income, many sex workers will face eviction and homelessness, particularly those who already struggle to secure housing due to stigma or financial precarity.

19. Homelessness creates a cycle of further vulnerability, making people more likely to engage in survival sex or endure exploitative conditions just to access shelter and basic necessities.

20. Sex workers who are already marginalised-such as LGBTQ+ individuals, disabled people, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds-will be disproportionately affected.

The Case for Decriminalisation

21. Leading human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, the World Health Organization, and UNAIDS, support full decriminalisation as the best approach to protecting sex workers.

22. Countries that have decriminalised sex work, such as New Zealand, have seen improved safety, health, and economic outcomes for sex workers.

23. Instead of criminalisation, the UK should focus on policies that provide access to healthcare, social support, and labour protections for sex workers.

Recommendations to the Committee

24. Reject any proposals that criminalise the sale of sex or remove the ability for sex workers to work safely and independently.

25. Recognise that criminalisation will lead to greater homelessness, financial instability, and vulnerability to violence.

26. Reject the Nordic Model, as it has been proven to increase violence against sex workers and fuel illegal trafficking networks.

27. Consider evidence-based approaches such as decriminalisation, which have been proven to improve the well-being and safety of sex workers and the broader public.

Conclusion

28. The proposed legislation threatens to dismantle the safety systems that sex workers rely on, forcing us into more dangerous conditions.

29. Criminalisation will not stop sex work; it will only push it underground, making it harder to access safety measures, financial stability, and legal protections.

30. The Nordic Model is not a solution-it has failed in every country where it has been implemented, leading to greater harm for sex workers and more opportunities for illegal trafficking.

31. Sex workers deserve the right to work safely and to have access to stable housing and basic rights. I urge the Committee to reject these harmful proposals in favour of a decriminalisation model that promotes health, dignity, and human rights.

April 2025