In a profound societal issue, decades-old police cautions are effectively trapping sex workers in cycles of prostitution, severely hindering their prospects for alternative careers and perpetuating a deep-seated poverty crisis. These unique cautions, often issued without the individual’s knowledge or admitted guilt, remain on a person’s record until the age of 100, posing significant barriers to employment requiring DBS checks, thus creating a lifelong penalization for engaging in sex work.
The devastating impact of these police policies is starkly illustrated by personal accounts. Sharon, for instance, received her first caution at just 15 while working on the streets, an experience she recounts as being without any safety net. Years later, at 28, her hopes of a nursing career were abruptly shattered when a CRB check revealed the caution, leading to profound embarrassment and the loss of a promising future, despite her distance from sex work for nearly four decades.
Advocacy groups, including the English Collective of Prostitutes, vehemently argue that these “prostitute’s cautions” are unjust and serve as a primary barrier preventing individuals from exiting sex work. They are predominantly issued to street sex workers who face the most perilous working conditions and punitive policing, effectively criminalizing survival and limiting pathways to legitimate employment, fostering a continuous cycle of vulnerability and marginalization within society.
In a concerted effort to dismantle these oppressive structures, campaigners delivered a petition to the government demanding the abolition of prostitute’s cautions and the expungement of criminal records that disproportionately affect women in prostitution. The petition also called for resources to enable women to transition out of sex work if they choose, highlighting a critical need for compassionate criminal justice reform.
Despite these urgent pleas, recent legislative attempts to introduce amendments to the Public Order Bill, aimed at removing such cautions and convictions, regrettably failed in the House of Commons. This legislative inaction underscores a broader governmental inclination towards increasing the criminalization of sex work, rather than prioritizing the safety and well-being of those involved, exacerbating existing challenges faced by sex workers.
A significant concern among advocates is the potential implementation of the “Nordic model,” which criminalizes the clients of sex workers. Extensive research from countries that have adopted this model consistently demonstrates an increase in violence against sex workers, deeper entrenchment in poverty, and a deterioration of their health. Critics argue this approach pushes sex workers into more dangerous environments, such as brothels or street work, rather than fostering independent and safer working conditions.
Furthermore, current laws criminalizing sex workers from operating together create hazardous conditions, forcing individuals into isolated and riskier situations. Initiatives by sex workers, such as Sevvven’s creation of private, safe hire spaces for client meetings, are undermined by policies that fail to prioritize their safety. This systemic neglect, combined with the wider poverty crisis driven by government policies like benefit sanctions, continues to drive individuals into sex work out of economic necessity.
Ultimately, a fundamental shift in governmental policy is imperative to safeguard sex workers. Campaigners urge the government to listen to their experiences and enact criminal justice reform that aligns with human rights principles, ensuring safety and providing genuine avenues for individuals to leave sex work if and when they desire, by addressing the root causes of poverty rather than imposing further criminalization.
