Is Prostitution Legal in Brighton?

Short Answer: Selling sex itself is legal in the UK, including Brighton. However, almost all activities surrounding it (soliciting on the street, operating a brothel, kerb crawling) are illegal.

UK law distinguishes between the act of selling sex and associated activities. While individuals over 18 can legally exchange sexual services for money privately, the following are criminal offences in Brighton, as elsewhere in England and Wales:

• Soliciting in a Public Place: It’s illegal to loiter or solicit in a street or public place for the purpose of offering sexual services (Street Offences Act 1959).
• Kerb Crawling: It’s illegal to solicit a person for sex from a motor vehicle in a street or public place, or to persistently solicit in a manner likely to cause annoyance (Sexual Offences Act 2003).
• Operating or Managing a Brothel: Managing or assisting in managing a brothel (any premises where more than one person sells sex) is illegal (Sexual Offences Act 1956).
• Controlling Prostitution for Gain (Pimping): Controlling the activities of a prostitute for personal financial gain is a serious offence (Sexual Offences Act 1956).
• Paying for Sex with Someone Subjected to Force, Threats, or Deception: This is illegal, regardless of whether the buyer knew (Sexual Offences Act 2003).

Brighton & Hove authorities generally adopt a harm reduction approach, focusing on supporting sex workers’ safety and targeting exploitation rather than solely criminalising individuals selling sex. Enforcement priorities often focus on street-based activity causing public nuisance and combating trafficking/exploitation.

What’s the Difference Between Street Prostitution and Escort Work in Brighton?

Short Answer: Street work is illegal, visible, and generally higher risk. Escort work operates indoors (private homes, hotels, flats), is less visible, and operates in a legal grey area if independent, but brothels remain illegal.

Brighton’s sex industry manifests in different ways, each with distinct legal and safety implications:

• Street-Based Sex Work: Primarily concentrated in specific areas (historically around the London Road area, though enforcement shifts locations). Highly visible, illegal (soliciting), and associated with higher risks of violence, exploitation, drug dependency, and vulnerability. Police often target kerb-crawlers and aim to move on street workers.
• Independent Escorts: Individuals advertise online (adult directories, personal websites) and arrange meetings directly with clients, typically in the client’s home, hotel, or their own private residence. While selling sex is legal, operating from a shared premises with others could constitute a brothel. Safety risks exist but are generally lower than street work, mitigated by screening clients and controlling the environment.
• Brothels (Illegal): Flats or houses where multiple sex workers operate. While illegal, some small-scale operations exist discreetly. Workers may share security costs but also face risks associated with illegality and potential exploitation by managers. Enforcement can lead to closures.
• Adult Massage Parlours: Some premises offer sexual services under the guise of massage. Licensing focuses on the “massage” aspect; offering sexual services makes them illegal brothels. Enforcement varies.

The online market, dominated by independent escorts and small agencies, is the most prevalent form in Brighton today.

How Do People Find Prostitutes in Brighton?

Short Answer: The vast majority of contact happens online through dedicated adult directories and escort websites. Street soliciting is illegal and less common than in the past.

Finding sexual services in Brighton primarily occurs through digital channels:

• Adult Service Directories (ASDs): Websites like AdultWork, Vivastreet (though often restricting explicit ads), and UK Punting Forum are the main platforms. Workers create profiles detailing services, rates, location, availability, and often include photos.
• Dedicated Escort Websites: Many independent escorts maintain personal websites for branding, bookings, and sharing information/policies.
• Social Media & Forums: Some workers use platforms like Twitter (X) for advertising and engagement. Forums allow clients to share reviews and information (exercise caution regarding authenticity).
• Word of Mouth: Less common, but still occurs privately.

Important Considerations:

• Avoid Street Soliciting: It’s illegal and significantly more dangerous for both workers and clients.
• Online Safety & Verification: Both clients and workers need to be cautious. Look for established profiles, consistent communication, and use common sense. Avoid anyone demanding large deposits upfront without verification.
• Respect Boundaries: Advertised services and rates are usually clear. Respect the worker’s stated terms.

What are Typical Rates for Prostitutes in Brighton?

Short Answer: Rates vary widely based on service type, duration, worker experience, and specific services offered, typically ranging from £80 to £300+ per hour for escorts.

There’s no fixed price list. Factors influencing rates include:

• Duration: Half-hour, one hour, two hours, overnight.
• Service Type: Basic services, specific acts, Girlfriend Experience (GFE), Porn Star Experience (PSE).
• Worker Profile: Experience, specialisation, looks, independent vs agency.
• Location: Incall (worker’s place) vs Outcall (client’s place/hotel – often incurs a travel fee).

General Range (Indoor/Independent Escorts):

• 30 mins: £80 – £150
• 1 hour: £120 – £250
• 2 hours: £250 – £450
• Overnight: £500 – £1000+

Street-Based Work: Rates are typically much lower (e.g., £20-£50 for a short time) but reflect the significantly higher risks involved. Always agree on services and price beforehand.

How Can Sex Workers Stay Safe in Brighton?

Short Answer: Prioritise indoor work, screen clients rigorously, use buddy systems, access local support services like the SAFE Project, and trust instincts.

Safety is paramount. Key strategies for sex workers include:

• Work Indoors: Avoid the dangers of street work whenever possible.
• Thorough Client Screening: Get real phone numbers, check against bad date lists (shared within community networks), have initial contact conversations to gauge behaviour.
• Buddy System: Inform a trusted colleague or friend of client details, location, and check-in times.
• Safe Location: Choose well-managed incall spaces or reputable hotels for outcalls. Know exits. Consider security measures.
• Condom Use & Sexual Health: Insist on condoms for all penetrative sex. Get regular STI screenings (available confidentially at sexual health clinics).
• Clear Boundaries: State services and limits explicitly before meeting. Have a safe word.
• Trust Instincts: Cancel any booking that feels unsafe.
• Access Support Services: Engage with local projects like the SAFE Project (https://safeproject.org.uk/) offering advice, safety resources, condoms, health signposting, and support for exiting if desired.
• Financial Safety: Secure payment upfront. Be cautious with online payments.

What Support Services Exist for Sex Workers in Brighton?

Short Answer: The primary support service is the SAFE (Sex Workers’ Advocacy and Support Frontline) Project, offering outreach, advice, health resources, safety planning, and exit support.

Brighton has dedicated support focused on harm reduction and worker wellbeing:

• The SAFE Project (https://safeproject.org.uk/): The main frontline service. Provides outreach (including to street-based workers), drop-ins, one-to-one support, safety packs (condoms, lube, alarms), sexual health information and signposting, advocacy, help with reporting crimes, and support for those wanting to leave the industry. They work from a non-judgmental, rights-based perspective.
• Clare Project: Offers support specifically for transgender people, including those involved in sex work.
• Sexual Health Services: Brighton Sexual Health & Contraception Service (SHAC) provides confidential testing, treatment, and PrEP.
• Police Liaison: Sussex Police have dedicated liaison officers trained to support sex workers reporting crimes sensitively, aiming to build trust regardless of immigration status.
• Violence & Exploitation Support: Organisations like RISE (domestic abuse) and the Medaille Trust (modern slavery) can support exploited workers.

These services are crucial for improving safety, health, and access to rights.

What are the Concerns About Prostitution in Brighton?

Short Answer: Key concerns include exploitation/trafficking, violence against workers, public nuisance from street activity, drug dependency links, and the inherent risks of the illegal aspects of the trade.

Prostitution in Brighton, like elsewhere, presents complex challenges:

• Exploitation and Trafficking: A significant concern is the potential for coercion, control by third parties (pimps), and human trafficking (both domestic and international). Identifying and supporting victims is a priority for police and support services.
• Violence Against Sex Workers: Workers face disproportionate levels of physical and sexual violence, robbery, and harassment from clients and others. Under-reporting is common due to fear, stigma, and mistrust of authorities.
• Public Nuisance & Community Impact: Street-based sex work, though reduced, can lead to complaints about used condoms/drug paraphernalia, noise, and kerb-crawling traffic in residential areas.
• Drug Dependency: There is often an overlap between street sex work and problematic drug use, creating cycles of vulnerability and making exiting difficult.
• Health Risks: STIs and mental health issues (PTSD, anxiety, depression) are prevalent concerns.
• Legal Vulnerability: The criminalisation of associated activities leaves workers vulnerable to arrest, eviction, and difficulty reporting crimes or accessing services without fear.

The harm reduction approach in Brighton aims to mitigate these risks while tackling exploitation.

How Does Brighton’s Approach Compare to Other UK Cities?

Short Answer: Brighton is recognised for its relatively progressive harm reduction model, prioritising worker safety and targeting exploitation over criminalisation of individuals, similar to cities like Leeds but often more coordinated.

While UK law applies uniformly, local implementation varies:

• Harm Reduction Focus: Brighton is known for prioritising partnerships between police, council, and support services (like SAFE) to enhance safety and reduce exploitation, rather than solely displacing or arresting street workers. Managed zones have been discussed but not implemented.
• Tolerance for Indoor Work: Like many cities, there’s pragmatic tolerance for discreet indoor independent work, with enforcement primarily targeting visible street soliciting/kerb crawling and clear cases of exploitation/brothel management.
• Strength of Support Services: The presence of a dedicated, well-established frontline service like SAFE is a significant strength compared to cities with less coordinated support.
• Challenges Remain: Despite the model, challenges like violence, exploitation, and drug links persist, reflecting national issues. Funding for support services is often precarious.

The Brighton model is often cited as an example of best practice in a UK context within the constraints of the law.

Where Can I Get Help or Report Concerns in Brighton?

Short Answer: Contact the SAFE Project for support as a sex worker. Report crimes to Sussex Police (999 for emergencies, 101 non-emergency, or online). Report concerns about exploitation to the Modern Slavery Helpline.

Key contacts:

• For Sex Workers Needing Support:
  • SAFE Project: 01273 680689 / [email protected] / https://safeproject.org.uk/
• To Report a Crime (Including Against a Sex Worker):
  • Emergency: Sussex Police – 999
  • Non-Emergency: Sussex Police – 101 or online reporting.
  • Anonymous Reporting: Crimestoppers – 0800 555 111
• To Report Concerns About Modern Slavery/Trafficking:
  • Modern Slavery Helpline: 08000 121 700 or online.
• Sexual Health:
  • Brighton SHAC: 01273 523388

If you are a sex worker experiencing violence or exploitation, SAFE Project can help you navigate reporting to police sensitively.