Facts about sex work
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There are approximately 72,800 sex workers in the UK – 88% are women, 6% men and 4% transgender.[i] (No research distinguished between trans women, trans men and non-binary sex workers or asked those who identified themselves as female or male whether they identified as the gender they were assigned at birth.)
Most sex workers are mothers working to support families.[ii] 74% of off-street sex workers “cited the need to pay household expenses and support their children”.
Prostitution is increasing because of austerity. A 60% increase in street prostitution recorded in Doncaster is primarily attributed to destitution caused by benefit sanctions.[iii] A quarter of young homeless women have engaged in sex work to fund accommodation or in the hope of getting a bed for the night.[iv] 89% of austerity cuts have targeted women. 3.9 million children in the UK are living in poverty.[v]
The majority of sex workers are not trafficked or on drugs. A study of migrant sex workers found less than 6...
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