Decriminalisation of escorting in the UK

In the U.K., there are approximately 72,800 sex workers. Imagine, how many lives would be changed if the British government changed its archaic way of thinking. If they left their ideals back in the Victorian era where they belong. And moved into the twenty first century. If this were to happen, Britain would be joining a club of modern day thinkers. Those who realise that in this day and age, sex work is just as crucial to society’s hierarchy as much as the government itself is.

There are a lot of people who would argue that sex work in the U.K. is legal. They do not get what the hype is about. Technically, it is legal. You can sell sex as an independent escort. However, the illegal part is the soliciting of sex, brothels and using pimps. This means that there are many ramifications for independent escorts. They are forced to work in solitude. They cannot share a flat with another escort. They can flat share as a living arrangement, just like many other people do. However, they cannot use it as a place of work. As this would be classed as a ´mini brothel`. Therefore, they are forced to go out and pay for an alternative workplace. Or they run the risk of being arrested if they decide to ‘work from home’.

When an escort is forced to work in solitude she opens herself up to a wide range of dangers. Some of which could be avoided if she were able to work with better working conditions. By working in such reclusiveness, independent escorts’ safety can be at risk. There are some people who abuse escorts. They expect free sex. If the escort refuses she is physically and sexually attacked. There are people out there think that this is something that can happen to any women, irrelevant of her profession. The difference is, if an escort suffers this she cannot go and report it to the police. Whereas a woman who works in a different profession can. If escorting was made 100% legal, independent escorts would have the same basic human rights as every other woman.

At the moment, there are forums and chat rooom on the internet. Where escorts can ‘blacklist’ dangerous clients. But this is unregulated, the girls have to look out for themselves. If the illegality of the industry were to be removed. Then the information would not be held in secret forums. Instead, it can be readily available to all from the local authorities.

Something else that should be taken into consideration is that the industry would become healthier. Each escort would be obliged to have regular health checks carried out. Meaning that they can provide a much more sanitary service.

Another side of the legalisation of it all would mean that the financial injection that the economy would profit from speaks for itself. It would add a predicted 5.3 billion pounds to the economy. Although this could well be higher as many independent escorts do not declare their income. By declaring their income, they would in turn be contributing towards healthcare, pensions, etc. They would in fact, be entitled to the same benefits as every other worker in the country is.

Many, if not all independent escorts would benefit from the decriminalisation of escorting.

At the end of the day, it is a profession that has been around since the beginning of time. It is not likely to disappear soon. In fact, as more and more women find themselves where they need a financial boost. More women turn to escorting as a way of finding this money. So, why not make it 100% legal? I am sure there are many people who will disagree with this blog. But I think it is time that the stigma around the industry was removed. Also, that women, no matter what their profession, should be entitles to the same protection and rights as every other woman in the world.