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The Modern Slavery Helpline and Resource Centre brings us closer to the eradication of modern slavery.
Prostitution and sex work support
Get help and support if you're working in the sex industry and you're concerned about your safety and well-being.
About prostitution and sex work
“Prostitution” is a legal term for selling sexual services which is also called “sex work”.
Sex work can include:
- advertising sexual services online and seeing clients in homes, hotels or other premises
- selling sexual services from the street and other outdoor areas
Sex work can include other activities such as:
- webcam
- working in the adult film industry
- private arrangements through dating sites (“sugar dating”)
- arranging for sexual services in exchange for rent, drugs, alcohol or other items
If a person over the age of 18 sells or exchanges sexual services they are not committing a crime.
If a person under the age of 18 sells or exchanges sexual services, this is Sexual Exploitation of a Child, not “sex work” or “prostitution”.
Brighton & Hove Safeguarding Children Partnership provides more information on local responses to Child Sexual Exploitation.
The law on prostitution and sex work
The following activities are crimes in the UK:
- soliciting in a public place
- kerb crawling
- keeping a brothel or assisting in the management of a brothel
- controlling prostitution for gain (Pimping)
- inciting or causing prostitution for gain
- trafficking someone for purposes of sexual exploitation. This can include harbouring or transporting someone from another country or around any area of the UK for the purpose of sexual exploitation
It's also illegal in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to:
- pay for sex with someone who has been forced, threatened, tricked or coerced into doing this by another person. The person paying for sex can be prosecuted even if they did not know the person was forced
- pay for sex with someone who is under the age of 18 (child sexual exploitation)
Prostitution and sex work support services
If you're working in the sex industry it may seem scary to contact services for support, or to report violence or abuse.
Help and support is available. Violence and abuse is never acceptable.
If you have experienced any form of violence, abuse, stalking or harassment or worry about your safety when sex working, support is available.
Modern Slavery Helpline
Brighton Oasis Project
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Brighton Oasis Project offers support to women, children and families affected by drugs and alcohol.
Oasis - Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP)
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Brighton Oasis Project delivers a Sex Workers Outreach Project, a discreet and confidential service for women working in the sex industry.
National Ugly Mugs Scheme
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The National Ugly Mugs scheme is a national scheme and is open to all sex workers.
Terrence Higgins Trust
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The Terrence Higgins Trust provides male and female sexual health advice and Sex Worker Outreach.
The Saturn Centre
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The Saturn Centre is a Sexual Assault Referral Centre that offers free, confidential healthcare and compassionate support to people ages 14 years and older in Sussex that have experienced sexual assault including rape in their lifetime.
SWARM Collective
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The SWARM Collective is a sex worker led collective who campaigns for the rights and safety of everyone who sells sexual services.
The English Collective of Prostitutes
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The English Collective of Prostitutes is a self-help organisation of sex workers, working both on the street and in premises, with a national network throughout the UK.
Report a crime to Sussex Police
To report a crime:
- phone 101
- report online on the Sussex Police website
- visit your local police station in person
If you're worried about speaking to the police, you can contact SWOP Sussex at Oasis Project or National Ugly Mugs to get support and discuss options.
Community safety partnership directory
Find support services for victims of:
- domestic or sexual abuse
- anti-social behaviour or hate incidents