27/06/2003

Culture change needed in approach to prostitution

Home Secretary David Blunkett has called a cultural change in the way prostitution is dealt so as to enable victims to break out of the cycle of abuse.

During an address to the Coalition for the Removal of Pimping (CROP) conference in Leeds today, Mr Blunkett said that pimps who promote and control prostitution represented a "sub-world of degradation and exploitation" for many women and girls.

"Victims of prostitution are often trapped in a violent circle that is tied up with organised crime, domestic violence, drug abuse, exploitation and infection," he said.

"From anti-social behaviour to mafia-style criminality, our communities are bedevilled by the terrible trade."

The government is currently reforming the law on the exploitation of the victims of prostitution.

The Sexual Offences Bill, which is going through the House of Commons at the moment, contains new offences to cover the commercial exploitation of children and adults. It also extends existing trafficking offences to cover domestic trafficking for prostitution.

A £107 million package of measures has also been announced to steer vulnerable young people away from drugs and crime.

He added: "We must now focus our efforts on working with agencies and voluntary organisations with practical experience of what works so that we can reach out and protect those trapped in prostitution and offer them exit routes."

CROP works to support the victims of pimps, especially to enable them to exit prostitution and has developed a unique support and advice service for parents and other carers and relations of pimped persons.

(GMcG)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

26 September 2014
Police 'Smash' National Prostitution Ring
Police have "smashed" a national prostitution ring, believed to have trafficked women into the UK and forced them to work in brothels. Police have confirmed that they have arrested 15 people on suspicion of conspiracy to manage and control brothels after raids on homes in the Midlands and south of England on Tuesday and Wednesday.
17 January 2006
Government says no to managed prostitution zones
The government has announced its long-term strategy for reducing street prostitution, ruling out the idea of "managed zones" for prostitution.
25 August 2011
Eastern Europeans In Belfast Prostitution Ring
The spectre of people trafficking and 'forced' prostitution has again been in the news - this time in a hard-line nationalist area of Belfast. The Sinn Fein West Belfast MP, Paul Maskey MLA has welcomed the police's successes against people trafficking and associated prostitution, which appears to have become established in his constituency.
30 June 2008
Man Jailed For 'Horrific' Trafficking Offences
A man has been jailed for human trafficking and prostitution offences. Imre Orsos, 40, of Chorley Old Road, was sentenced to five years and three month's imprisonment after pleading guilty to two counts of trafficking persons into the UK for sexual exploitation and controlling prostitution for gain.
13 October 2006
MPs urge ministers to tackle people trafficking
A committee of MPs and peers has urged the Government to tackle the increase in the growth of people trafficking in the UK. Unpublished Government research shows around 4,000 women victims of trafficking and prostitution were in the country in 2003 at any one time, according to an inquiry report published by the Joint Committee on Human Rights.