A report brought together existing research and knowledge about children and young people involved in prostitution. It covered the legal context, as well as how and why young people become involved, their experiences, and the barriers they faced in exiting. The report recommended a range of changes to legislation, policy and services, as well as further research.
Source: Abigail Levy, Stigmatised, Marginalised and Criminalised: An overview of the issues relating to children and young people involved in prostitution, National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (0207 825 2500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2004-Dec
New national police guidance for dealing with prostitution was launched. It advocated a 'holistic' approach, involving joint working with partners in local government and non-governmental agencies, to: tackle the harm done to individuals; support them in finding routes out of prostitution; protect communities; and prosecute those who abused and exploited vulnerable women, men and children.
Source: ACPO's Policy, Strategy and Operational Guidelines for Dealing with Exploitation and Abuse through Prostitution, Association of Chief Police Officers (020 7227 3434)
Links: ACPO press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Dec
The Scottish Executive announced proposed amendments to its Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences Bill. The Bill would be extended to criminalize pornography and prostitution involving those up to the age of 18, in line with optional protocols relating to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Executive also published the results of a consultation exercise on protecting children from sexual exploitation.
Source: Press release 22 December 2004, Scottish Executive (0131 556 8400) | Linda Nicholson, Protecting Children form Sexual Harm: Analysis of consultation responses, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: SE press release | Consultation responses (pdf)
Date: 2004-Dec
An article examined the ways in which the legal system attempted, through actual legislation and a graded sentencing policy, to control child pornography. It concluded by suggesting that the function of law needed to be more carefully defined, so as to focus more clearly on child protection and on the surest means of delivering this.
Source: Katherine Williams, 'Child pornography law: does it protect children?', Journal of Social Welfare & Family Law, Volume 26 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2004-Oct
Two linked pieces of strategic guidance were published on the monitoring of sex offenders and the provision of suitable accommodation for higher-risk offenders. The national sex offender strategy focused on the need for accurate assessment of all sex offenders, opportunities to reduce risk through treatment, and interventions to manage risk. The accommodation strategy examined the use by the probation service of approved premises, previously referred to as hostels; it affirmed the existing role of approved premises in supervising offenders who posed a higher risk. Research was also published evaluating intensive residential treatment for sex offenders; it showed that reconviction rates were halved for higher-risk offenders who underwent such treatment. A second research study assessed the need for residential sex offender treatment, and suggested that between four and five such centres might provide a valuable resource in rehabilitating offenders and protecting the public.
Source: Sex Offender Strategy for the National Probation Service, National Probation Directorate/Home Office (0870 000 1585) | Approved Premises and Offender Housing Strategy for Higher Risk Offenders, National Probation Directorate/Home Office | Hannah Ford and Anthony Beech, The Effectiveness of the Wolvercote Clinic Residential Treatment Programme in Producing Short-term Treatment Changes and Reducing Sexual Reconvictions, National Probation Directorate/Home Office | Hannah Ford and Anthony Beech, An Assessment of the Need for Residential Treatment Facilities for Child Sex Abusers, National Probation Directorate/Home Office
Links: Sex Offender Strategy (pdf) | Approved Premises Strategy (pdf) | Effectiveness report (pdf) | Assessment of need (pdf) | Home Office press release | Nacro press release | NSPCC press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Sep
A report mapped the incidence of organized 'off-street' prostitution in London. It said there were more than 8,000 women working as prostitutes in a total of 730 brothels, 164 escort agencies, and 66 lap-dancing clubs.
Source: Sex in the City: Mapping commercial sex across London, Poppy Project/Eaves Housing for Women (020 7840 7141)
Links: Guardian report
Date: 2004-Aug
An issue of the journal Urban Studies contained a series of articles on sex and sexuality in the urban context - including prostitution, adult entertainment districts, and homosexuality.
Source: Urban Studies, Volume 41 Number 9
Links: Contents page
Date: 2004-Aug
Research reportedly found that, in the opinion of judges, legislation to stop defence lawyers asking rape complainants about their previous sexual experience was too restrictive, and risked denying defendants a fair trial. (Research by Neil Kibble for the Criminal Bar Association.)
Source: The Guardian, 20 July 2004
Links: Guardian report
Date: 2004-Jul
The government began consultation on tackling prostitution. It said that it was determined to break the links between prostitution and drug markets, trafficking and other areas of organised crime; and to protect and support the victims of trafficking, abuse and prostitution including the prostitutes themselves, who often found themselves trapped in a circle of abuse. The consultation paper drew on an evaluation of eleven projects on what worked in tackling prostitution.
Source: Paying the Price: A consultation paper on prostitution, Home Office (0870 000 1585) | Marianne Hester and Nicole Westmarland, Tackling Street Prostitution: Towards an holistic approach, Research Study 279, Home Office (020 7273 2084) | House of Commons Hansard, Written Ministerial Statement 16 July 2004, columns 84-86WS, TSO
Links: Consultation document (pdf) | Study (pdf) | Hansard | Home Office press release | LGA press release | YWCA press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Jul
The government published a policy statement designed to explain to members of the public, and particularly victims and witnesses of rape offences, how rape prosecutions were carried out. Its aim was to encourage more rape victims to come forward, and to give them greater confidence in the process.
Source: Policy for Prosecuting Cases of Rape, Crown Prosecution Service (020 7796 8442)
Links: Report (pdf) | CPS press release | Guardian report
Date: 2004-Jun
The government said it planned to extend satellite tracking for sex offenders, and subject them to lie detector tests, once they left prison.
Source: The Guardian, 28 May 2004
Links: Guardian report
Date: 2004-May
The Sentencing Advisory Panel began consultation on sentences for 12 offences under the Sexual Offences Act, relating to sexual exploitation, prostitution and pornography.
Source: Consultation Paper on the Sexual Offences Act 2003: Exploitation offences, Sentencing Advisory Panel (020 7035 5158)
Links: Consultation document (Word file)
Date: 2004-Apr
Researchers examined vulnerability amongst young prostitutes, the relationship between sex work and drug use, and opportunities for leaving sex work and giving up drug use. The most vulnerable sex workers were all girls who had been involved in prostitution before the age of 18. They were problematic drug users often continuing to prostitute themselves to fund their habit.
Source: Linda Cusick, Anthea Martin and Tiggey May, Vulnerability and Involvement in Drug Use and Sex Work, Research Study 268, Home Office (020 7273 2084)
Links: Study (pdf) | Findings (pdf)
Date: 2004-Mar