Understanding Prostitution in Portsmouth: A Complex Reality
Prostitution, the exchange of sexual services for money or goods, is a complex and sensitive issue present in urban areas worldwide, including Portsmouth. While selling sex itself is not illegal in England, many surrounding activities like soliciting in public places, kerb-crawling, operating brothels, and controlling prostitution for gain are criminal offences. This creates a challenging and often dangerous environment for those involved. This article addresses the realities, legal framework, risks, support services available locally, and the broader impact on the Portsmouth community, aiming to provide factual information and guidance towards support and safety.
What is the Legal Status of Prostitution in Portsmouth?
Prostitution itself (the exchange of sexual services for payment) is not illegal in England and Wales. However, nearly all activities associated with it are heavily criminalised. Soliciting (offering sexual services in a public place), kerb-crawling (attempting to buy sex from someone in a public place), loitering for the purposes of selling sex, running a brothel (where more than one person works), and controlling prostitution for gain (pimping) are all criminal offences under laws like the Street Offences Act 1959, Sexual Offences Act 2003, and Policing and Crime Act 2009. Portsmouth Police actively enforce these laws, focusing on disrupting exploitation and supporting vulnerable individuals out of sex work where possible.
Can you get arrested for buying or selling sex in Portsmouth?
Yes, you can be arrested for activities directly linked to prostitution. Sellers can be arrested for soliciting in public or loitering. Buyers (kerb-crawlers) can be arrested for attempting to purchase sex in a public place. Both buying and selling sex from someone who has been subjected to force, threats, or deception (exploitation) is a serious criminal offence. While the *exchange* itself isn’t illegal, the actions leading to it or the context (like exploitation or public nuisance) very much are.
What are the penalties for soliciting or kerb-crawling?
Penalties can include fines, court orders (like Rehabilitation Orders requiring engagement with support services), and potentially imprisonment, especially for repeat offences or those involving exploitation. Kerb-crawling can result in fines, driving licence endorsements, and being named and shamed. Soliciting can lead to fines and court orders. Running a brothel or controlling prostitution carries much heavier sentences, including significant prison time.
What Are the Major Health and Safety Risks for Sex Workers in Portsmouth?
Individuals involved in sex work, particularly street-based work, face significant health and safety risks. These include high vulnerability to physical and sexual violence from clients or third parties, increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, substance misuse issues often linked to coping mechanisms or coercion, mental health challenges like PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and social stigma leading to isolation and barriers to accessing services. Working alone, often at night and in secluded areas, drastically increases these dangers.
How prevalent is violence against sex workers?
Violence, including physical assault, rape, and robbery, is a tragically common experience reported by sex workers, especially those working on the streets. Vulnerability is heightened by the illegal nature of soliciting, making individuals less likely to report crimes to the police for fear of arrest or repercussions. Isolation, client anonymity, and stigma further contribute to this risk. Organisations like the English Collective of Prostitutes and local support services consistently highlight violence as a major concern.
What support exists for sexual health in Portsmouth?
Portsmouth offers several sexual health services crucial for sex workers. The Solent Sexual Health service provides confidential testing and treatment for STIs, contraception (including emergency contraception), HIV testing and support, PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV), and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV). They offer non-judgmental care and outreach initiatives. The local Aurora New Dawn charity also supports victims of sexual violence.
What Support Services Are Available in Portsmouth?
Portsmouth has dedicated services focused on supporting individuals involved in sex work, prioritising harm reduction, safety, and exit strategies. These services offer non-judgmental, confidential support tailored to individual needs. Key providers include the Hampton Trust’s Street Reach Project, specialist support within drug and alcohol services like Turning Point, sexual health clinics, housing support services, and charities like Aurora New Dawn for those experiencing violence. They provide outreach, advocacy, access to healthcare, housing assistance, and pathways out of sex work.
How does the Hampton Trust Street Reach Project help?
The Street Reach Project is a critical outreach service in Portsmouth specifically for sex workers. Their team engages directly with individuals on the streets, building trust and relationships. They offer immediate practical support (condoms, safety alarms, hot drinks), information on health and safety, access to sexual health services, support around substance misuse, advocacy with the police and other agencies, and crucially, support for those wanting to exit sex work, including access to housing, benefits advice, training, and employment opportunities.
Where can someone get help to leave prostitution?
Exiting sex work is complex and requires comprehensive support. Organisations like the Hampton Trust’s Street Reach Project are often the first point of contact. They can refer individuals to specialist services within drug and alcohol support (if needed), mental health services (Talking Change locally), housing support through the Portsmouth City Council Housing Department or charities like Two Saints, benefits advice (Citizens Advice Portsmouth), and employment/training schemes. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline and Aurora New Dawn are vital if coercion or exploitation is involved.
How Does Prostitution Impact the Portsmouth Community?
The visible presence of street-based sex work, particularly in certain areas of Portsmouth, impacts local residents and businesses. Common concerns include public soliciting and kerb-crawling causing nuisance and feeling unsafe, discarded condoms and needles posing health hazards, potential links to other low-level crime and anti-social behaviour, and perceived negative effects on property values and local business. Community Safety Partnerships involving the Police (Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary), Portsmouth City Council, and local groups work to address these issues through enforcement and support initiatives.
What areas are most affected?
Historically, street-based sex work in Portsmouth has been concentrated in specific areas, often near industrial estates, quieter side streets off main roads, or areas with lower levels of nighttime foot traffic. Somerstown and areas around the docks have been frequently cited in the past. However, enforcement actions and displacement mean locations can shift. Police and council monitoring often focus on areas where residents report consistent issues related to soliciting and kerb-crawling.
What is being done to manage community concerns?
The Portsmouth Community Safety Partnership employs a multi-agency approach: Targeted police patrols and enforcement against soliciting and kerb-crawling; Support services outreach (like Street Reach) to engage workers and offer exit routes; Environmental measures like improved street lighting and cleaning; Community engagement meetings to report concerns and discuss solutions; Potential use of ASBOs (Anti-Social Behaviour Orders) or Community Protection Notices in persistent cases. The emphasis is increasingly on tackling demand (prosecuting buyers) and supporting exploited individuals rather than solely criminalising sellers.
What is the Role of Exploitation and Trafficking?
A significant concern within the sex trade in Portsmouth, as elsewhere, is exploitation and human trafficking. Individuals may be coerced, deceived, threatened, or forced into prostitution by third parties (pimps/traffickers). This can involve physical violence, emotional manipulation, debt bondage, or control through substance dependency. Victims are often highly vulnerable, including migrants with insecure status, those with substance dependencies, or those experiencing homelessness or poverty. Identifying and supporting victims is a priority for police and support agencies.
How can you recognise potential trafficking victims?
Signs that someone might be a victim of trafficking for sexual exploitation include: Appearing controlled or accompanied by someone who speaks for them; Showing signs of physical abuse, malnourishment, or poor health; Having few personal possessions and no control over money or identification; Living and working in the same place under poor conditions; Appearing fearful, anxious, or submissive; Having limited freedom of movement; Showing signs of substance misuse potentially used as control. If you suspect trafficking, report it to the Modern Slavery Helpline (08000 121 700) or the police.
What support exists specifically for trafficking victims in Portsmouth?
Victims identified through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) are entitled to specialist support. This includes safe accommodation, legal advice, medical and psychological care, counselling, financial support, and assistance with repatriation or finding secure status in the UK. Locally, agencies like the Hampton Trust work with national organisations like the Salvation Army (which holds the government contract for supporting adult victims in England and Wales) to provide tailored support.
What Are the Arguments Around Legalisation vs. Decriminalisation?
The debate on how to manage prostitution often centres on two models: Legalisation/Regulation (like in parts of Nevada or Germany, involving licensed brothels, health checks) and Decriminalisation (like in New Zealand, removing criminal penalties for consensual sex work between adults, focusing instead on exploitation and safety). The “Nordic Model” (or Sex Buyer Law), criminalising the purchase of sex but not its sale, is implemented in Sweden, Norway, France and is advocated for by many UK abolitionist groups. Each model has proponents and critics regarding its impact on workers’ safety, exploitation rates, and community impact.
What is the current UK approach?
The UK currently operates a largely prohibitionist model with elements of the Nordic Model. Selling sex isn’t illegal, but almost everything around it is (soliciting, brothel-keeping, pimping, kerb-crawling). There is a growing emphasis on targeting buyers (kerb-crawlers) and those who exploit (pimps/traffickers), while offering support services to those selling sex, viewing many as victims rather than offenders. This approach aims to reduce demand and exploitation but critics argue it pushes the trade further underground, making workers less safe.
What do support groups in Portsmouth advocate for?
Views among support groups vary. Some organisations, aligned with abolitionist perspectives, advocate strongly for the full Nordic Model (criminalising buyers) to reduce demand and exploitation, coupled with robust exit services. Others, often influenced by sex worker rights movements, argue for full decriminalisation (removing criminal laws affecting consensual adult sex work) as the best way to improve sex workers’ safety, health, and rights, allowing them to work together legally, report crimes without fear, and access services more freely. This debate continues at local and national levels.
Where Can Residents Report Concerns or Access Information?
Residents concerned about street-based sex work, kerb-crawling, or suspected exploitation in their area should contact the authorities. Reporting kerb-crawling or soliciting: Call Hampshire & Isle of Wight Police on 101 (non-emergency) or 999 if a crime is in progress. Provide vehicle details/descriptions if safe to do so. Reporting suspected trafficking or exploitation: Contact the Modern Slavery Helpline confidentially on 08000 121 700 or report online. Contact Hampshire Police directly. Seeking general advice or support services: Visit the Portsmouth City Council Community Safety pages or contact local councillors.
How can I access support if I’m involved in sex work?
If you are involved in selling sex and need support, help is available confidentially and without judgement: Contact the Hampton Trust Street Reach Project directly (details often available via local charities or health services). Visit Solent Sexual Health for health needs. Reach out to Turning Point Portsmouth for support with substance misuse. Contact Aurora New Dawn if you are experiencing violence or abuse. Call the National Ugly Mugs (NUM) anonymous safety scheme for sex workers to report dangerous individuals. Your safety and well-being are the priority.
Where can I find reliable statistics on prostitution in Portsmouth?
Obtaining precise statistics on prostitution is challenging due to its hidden nature. Sources include: Hampshire Constabulary’s annual reports or data releases (which may mention arrests for soliciting/kerb-crawling), Portsmouth City Council reports on Community Safety Partnership work, Research studies by universities or charities (often anonymised and aggregated), Reports from local support services like the Hampton Trust (anonymised case studies and trends). Be cautious of sensationalised media reports; official partnership reports or academic studies tend to be more reliable.