Prostitution
There are many reasons why people get involved in prostitution. It may be by choice. Or it may be driven by poverty, or drug or alcohol dependency. However, some people may be forced or coerced into prostitution.
People involved in prostitution are at risk of violence, abuse and exploitation.
We want to ensure people, and communities, are safe. This includes people involved in prostitution.
We also want to identify those who exploit people for financial gain but also those who abuse and pose a threat to people involved in prostitution.
On this page:
Reporting to Police / Other options
What is prostitution?
Prostitution is when a person engages in sexual activity for payment.
Payment does not only include money. It can include drugs, alcohol, food, and a place to stay.
Prostitution is broken down to two categories:
On street - occurs in public, meeting face-to-face on the street. This is associated with ‘kerb crawling’.
Off street – takes place indoors in domestic and temporary accommodation. This type of prostitution can be linked to organised crime and human trafficking.
Prostitution (i.e. the sale of sex) is not illegal, but the following activities are illegal:
- running a brothel
- soliciting or loitering in a public place for the purpose of purchasing sex (purchasers/kerb crawlers)
- soliciting or loitering in a public place for the purpose of selling sex (sellers)
- trafficking people for the purpose of sexual exploitation
- persuade/cause or attempt to persuade/cause an individual into prostitution.
It is not an offence for an individual who freely chooses to be involved in prostitution to sell sexual services from a residential or other establishment.
But if more than one person is selling sexual services from a residential or other premises, this becomes a brothel and this is against the law.
Adult Services websites
Selling sex via a website is not illegal, many people who choose to sell sex legitimately advertise on various websites.
However, criminal gangs use adult websites to advertise victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation. If you are worried that someone may be a victim of sexual exploitation, please contact the police.
Online abuse
People may also conduct their business online. If you are a victim of online abuse, please report to the police.
Reporting to Police / other options
You have a right to report any crime committed against you regardless of when the crime was committed.
If you are a victim of crime please report to the police, you will be treated with respect and your report taken seriously.
If you are worried about someone else who may be a victim of abuse or exploitation, then please contact us.
Find out more about reporting sexual crime or domestic abuse.
In an emergency, or if the danger and threat is immediate, please call 999. If it is not an emergency, you can report using 101.
By phone – 101 for non-emergencies (+44 (0) 141 308 1070 if calling from outside the UK. Network charges may apply).
A person such as a support worker can contact Police on your behalf if you wish.
In person – Find your local Police Stations
Online – Contact Us form
Text Relay - 18001101 for deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or speech-impaired callers.
Support for British Sign Language users/speakers
For people who may not be ready to report, or for people who wish to remain anonymous there are other options:
You can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 Crimestoppers
Or you can share information with the police via a third party/support agency and remain anonymous.
Help and support
List of key support services:
National Ugly Mugs/Numbrella Lane (NUM)
Encompass has a full list of support services available to people working in prostitution including housing, legal, addiction, poverty and debt.
