Sexual exploitation

The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes.” (UN Secretary-General’s Bulletin on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse)

Due to the hidden nature of the issue, it is difficult for researchers to glean accurate data, but we know that the legal and illegal sex industry is an ever-increasing sphere for sexual exploitation to occur. Its various forms including street prostitution, off-street prostitution, sex tourism, pornography and international and domestic trafficking, are prevalent in every town and city across the UK.  

• There were 1281 women trafficked for sexual purposes in the UK in 2019 and 369  between July and Sept 2019 alone. `

• The number of individuals involved in prostitution in the UK is estimated to be around 72,800 with about 32,000 working in London in 2016

• 9 out of 10 women want to leave the sex industry but can see no way out

• Homelessness, living in care and debt are all common experiences of women entering prostitution; around 50% enter before their 18th birthday

• Violence is a major part of the experience of many women involved in prostitution.  An estimated 152 people involved in prostitution were murdered between 1990 and 2015. One study showed 86% had experienced childhood violence, while another showed 81% had experienced violence from clients