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.

Report sexual violence to the police

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
More information about Modern Slavery Helpline
Brighton Oasis Project
More information about Brighton Oasis Project
Oasis - Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP)
More information about Oasis - Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP)
National Ugly Mugs Scheme
More information about National Ugly Mugs Scheme
Terrence Higgins Trust
More information about Terrence Higgins Trust
The Saturn Centre
  • Saturn Centre website

    • 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.

More information about The Saturn Centre
SWARM Collective
  • SWARM Collective website

    • The SWARM Collective is a sex worker led collective who campaigns for the rights and safety of everyone who sells sexual services.

More information about SWARM Collective
The English Collective of Prostitutes
  • English Collective of Prostitutes website

    • 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.

More information about The English Collective of Prostitutes

Report a crime to Sussex Police

To report a crime:

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

Community safety partnership directory