Sex Laws in UK
The sex laws in the UK are aimed at controlling the sex industry and to
eliminate exploitation.
However, many people, escort girls and punters alike, still believe that the
actual act of prostitution is illegal. However, this isn't the case. Many of the
laws have changed as a result of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 which came into
force on 1st May 2004.
Below is a brief summary of the legislation governing escort girls and
prostitution in the UK and a brief description of what they actually mean.
Prostitute
The SOA 2003 created a new, and somewhat problematic, definition: Someone is a
'prostitute' if they have, on at least one occasion and whether or not compelled
to do so, offered or provided sexual services to another person in return for
any financial arrangement.
Living on the earnings of prostitution or pimps
It is illegal for anybody to control the movements of escort girls. It is also
against the law to live off the earnings of a prostitute. Even if you are the
partner of the prostitute you are still liable.
This is displayed in The Sexual Offences (S) Act 1976, section 12, subsections 1
& 4;
(1) a) Every male person who knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings
of prostitution or b) in any public place persistently solicits or importunes
for immoral purposes, shall be liable of conviction of imprisonment."
(4) Every female who is proved to have for the purposes of gain, exercised
control, direction or Influence over the movements of a prostitute in such a
manner as to show that she is aiding, abetting or compelling her prostitution
with any other person, or generally, shall be liable on conviction to
imprisonment."
Soliciting
Under the Street Offences Act 1959, it is an offence for a common prostitute to
loiter or solicit in a street or public place for the purpose of prostitution.
Kerb-Crawling
Street work is one of the few areas of sex work were the clients of adult
workers can be criminalized. A person commits an offence if he solicits another
person or persons for the purpose of prostitution from a motor vehicle or street
in public place. Person commits an offence if in a street or public place he
persistently solicits another person or persons for the purposes of
prostitution.
House/Flats
It is legal to provide sexual services in a house or flat as long as there is
only one person selling sex. If there are more than that, even at different
times , the premises can be classified as a brothel and you may be at risk from
SOA 1956 sections 33 and 33a.
It's worth being aware of the potential problems you may face even in working
alone indoors. It is legal to have a 'maid' or 'housekeeper' or 'receptionist'
to assist you and to increase your safety the police may allege that the maid is
selling sex and that therefore the premises count as a brothel, especially if he
or she is young. They may claim that a maid has to be over a certain age. This
is not true. The only relevant issue is whether or not the maid was having sex
on the premises.
Escort Agencies
It is legal to work for escort agencies, whether or not you are offering sexual
services. Some agencies rip you off and offer no protection whatsoever. Shop
around for agencies which look out for your safety and offer reasonable terms
and conditions. Try to work for places that have been recommended by other
workers.
Brothels / Massage Parlours etc
It is legal to work as a prostitute in a brothel. Brothel is any premises
including private flats, saunas, massage parlours - will be classed as a brothel
if they are used by more than one man or woman for 'physical acts of indecency
for ... sexual gratification whether on the same day or on different days - 'in
series or in tandem'.
If you are the only person who provides sexual services on premises, with or
without the assistance of a non-sex working maid or receptionist, the premises
are not a brothel. It is an offence for a person to keep, or to manage, or act
or assist in the management of, a brothel if you're prove
(i) That the premises you are working in classify as a brothel and
(ii) that you were aware of this and
(iii) that you were keeping, managing or assisting in its management.
Licensing
If you are advertising massage services and you live in London, a licence is
required under the London Local Authorities Act 1991. If you are outside London
there may be similar requirements.
More detailed info here
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