Week03_Slides_Sex_Work_and_Criminalization

Overview

• Course: Psychology, Sexuality, and Sex Work BSc

• Instructor: Prof. Belinda Brooks-Gordon (Contact: b.brooks-Gordon@bbk.ac.uk)

• Topics Covered:

  • Nature and size of sex work

  • Policy developments since 2000

  • Clients and implications for sex workers

  • Application of psychological research to policy

  • Ideologies, myths, and realities affecting sex workers

  • Current issues affecting the night-time economy

Historical Data and Research

• Key Studies:

  • Brooks-Gordon et al. (2015): Explored economic contributions of commercial sexual activity to UK GDP.

  • Cusick et al. (2009): Analyzed the sex worker population estimates in Britain.

• Findings Overview:

  • Estimated sex worker population:

    • 72,800 sex workers in total, with 32,000 in London and 41,000 outside.

    • Gross annual income from sex work estimated at £5.09 billion, with a net income after costs of £1.23 billion.

  • Migration statistics:

    • 37% of female sex workers are migrants, with higher percentages in London (76%).

    • Significant number (52%) of these migrants from Eastern Europe, further corroborated by UKNSWP data.

Legal Framework Surrounding Sex Work

• Historical Legislation:

  • Sexual Offences Review (1999), Sexual Offences Act (2003), and variations across Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  • Key legislative developments affecting prostitution include:

    • 1967: Street Offences Act criminalized street solicitation.

    • 1985: Kerb Crawling Sex Offences Act made it illegal to solicit for prostitution.

    • 2004-2015: Introduction of various acts aimed at preventing human trafficking and regulating prostitution further.

• Focus on Enforcement:

  • Increased focus on criminalizing the act of purchasing sexual services, which became more pronounced in 2009 leading to stricter penalties.

  • Shift between welfarist approaches and punitive measures, creating a complex legal landscape.

Societal Attitudes Towards Sex Work

• Changing Perceptions:

  • In the 1980s, buying sex was framed as problematic and was subjected to increasingly strict laws.

  • Contemporary views often problematize male buyers and link purchasing sex to exploitation or trafficking.

• Current Issues:

  • Public safety and sex workers' rights increasingly discussed in terms of human rights violations.

  • Policymaking often influenced by ideologies and the narratives surrounding "protection" of vulnerable populations.

Impacts of Legislation on Sex Workers

• Risks Faced:

  • Legal penalties contribute to risks for sex workers, including increased violence and exploitation.

  • Increased stigma and police distrust among sex workers lead to greater vulnerability.

• Case Examples:

  • Instances of violence against sex workers have been increasing.

  • Structural violence against sex workers, including criminalization, contributes to fear and lack of reporting incidents.