Backdoor ban on prostitution?

Deborah McGurran Political Editor, BBC East

The Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, has announced plans to make it illegal for anyone to pay for sex with someone who is being controlled for another's gain.

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The Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, has announced plans to make it illegal for anyone to pay for sex with someone who's being controlled for another's gain.

The new proposals are being described as a backdoor ban on prostitution.

In the longer term, it is thought the government is considering following the Swedish model, introduced in 1999, when it became illegal to pay for sex, and men are penalised - not the prostitutes.

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Chaste (Churches Alert to Sex Trafficking in Europe) was established in 2003 by a group of people committed to addressing the growing issue of human trafficking for sexual exploitation.

Angela Deavall, Chaste Chief Executive Officer, describes the charity's work and its views on the proposed changes in the law.

Women trafficked into sexual exploitation have been forced, defrauded or coerced Angela Deavall

Over the last five years, Chaste has worked to provide direct help to over 100 survivors of sex trafficking and has campaigned tirelessly to bring an end to this modern form of slavery.

Apart from raising awareness about sex trafficking in communities across the UK and Europe, Chaste lobbies and campaigns through a full time advocacy and policy officer.

Chaste works alongside cross party and government groups looking at laws to protect the rights of trafficked women.

Chaste is now a founder member of ARETUSA the European network Association working to lobby for change on all aspects of Gender Equality and Equal opportunity across Europe and specifically in Brussels.

Chaste is a specialist and expert organisation in the field of sex trafficking.

The 'Not for Sale - UK' campaign launched by Chaste seeks to address the market demand that leads to the sexual exploitation of women.

The campaign aims to promote the value of equality, education, raising awareness and legislative penalties in achieving this objective.

New Proposed Legislation

Swedish model: illegal to pay for sex

Recent research shows that one in 10 men pay for sex at some point in their lives with the most active age group being 19-29-year-olds.

During the last five years, more and more criminal gangs have been trafficking young women into the UK to sell them into prostitution to make money.

They criminal gangs have been trafficking young women into the UK to sell them into prostitution to make money.

Profitable business

They make millions. It is estimated that between £85m and £200m is generated for brothels through illegal newspaper ads alone.

Women trafficked into sexual exploitation have been forced, defrauded or coerced.

They are unlikely to be able to identify themselves as victims of trafficking as they have no understanding of the term.

They are brought to the UK in transit vans, out of abject poverty on the promise of jobs and a better life.

Needs of younger men fuel the trade

Trafficked women are not the only victims of exploitation in the commercial sex industry.

Prostitutes who became involved in it when they were younger than 18-years-old accounted for 79% of women.

Chaste welcomes the government's commitment to address the issue of sexual exploitation and this new proposed legislation is a real step in the right direction.

It is a clear message to men to think hard before paying for sex.

Trade exists because men buy sex

The time is right to begin an informed public debate and to engage public opinion on the whole subject of prostitution in our society.

Multi media representations of commercial sex as a glamorous, easy and fun career choice for girls and women, further contribute to the ubiquity of the country's brothel industry.

However, for most women involved in prostitution, the reality is a cycle of violence and coercion, perpetuated by poverty and crime.

Prostitutes trapped

The physical and emotional effects of having worked as a prostitute mean that most women find it incredibly difficult to leave.

The government could commit funding to help women exit prostitution, by providing more education and skills training.

The government has recently concluded its research into other European models of tackling sex trafficking around Europe.

Criminal gangs make millions trafficking women

The proposed legislation to protect sex trafficked women is moving, it would seem, towards the Swedish model which criminalises the purchasers of sex.

Sweden has reduced its sex trafficking numbers from 4,000 per year to 2,300 although it has always had fewer street prostitutes than the UK.

Making certain that the concept of equality is at the centre of public and social policy we would see as a driver for cultural change in the UK in a 21st Century society.

This is the modern slave trade and it is imperative we strive to protect and free victims by outlawing this trade.

The Politics Show with Jon Sopel and Etholle George on Sunday at 1200 GMT on BBC One.

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