World Sex Guide Document: uk

United Kingdom Legal Notes
Dear Friend

I would like to submit the following article, which I will keep brief,
for possible inclusion in your excellent guide.

I believe knowledge is power and in that belief here is a report on the
legal status of sex in the England and Wales, I can't comment on
Scotland as they have their own laws.

.... It is not illegal to pay for sex in England (from now on I include
also Wales). Various activities however are.

The majority of the following are taken from The Sexual Offences act of
1956

Prostitute, has no defined meaning in law but has come to be accepted by
the courts and others as 'a woman who offers her body commonly for
sexual intercourse or acts of lewdness, in return for payment.' Acts of
lewdness include the likes of masturbation, whipping for sexual pleasure
etc.

The only offence the prostitute commits is, being a common prostitute
(i.e. a woman who has previous cautions or convictions for prostitution)
loitering or soliciting in a street or public place for the purpose of
prostitution.
Street is self explanatory and public place includes places to which the
public have access including upon payment. It also includes a woman who
sits in the window of her house and can be seen from the street.

For soliciting the woman must approach men i.e more than one and be seen
to leave with them (otherwise she could be a respectable woman
approaching men asking directions etc). Soliciting can be more than
words alone, it includes gestures, facial expressions, tapping on
windows, showing signs etc.

For loitering the woman needs do nothing, the fact that she is a
prostitute loitering for men to approach is enough.

Kerb crawling (The male act of attracting prostitutes)

There are two main offences,

Firstly it is an offence under the Sexual Offences Act 1985 for a man to
persistently solicit a woman or different women in a street or public
place for the purposes of prostitution. Note persistently, must be more
than ONCE within the same approximate time and area.

Secondly, very similar to the first except that the soliciting is done
from a motorvehicle,or having just alighted from a vehicle. Again in a
street or public place.

Brothels...legislation from Sexual Offences Act 1956 (sect33)

It is an offence to keep, manage or be concerned in the management of a
brothel.

What is a brothel... a place used for illicit intercourse or other
indecent behaviour. Note no mention of prostitutes or receipt
of payments BUT there must be at least two women present...one woman, no
brothel. Some examples, a block of flats with a number of women, each
working singly and separate of each other is probably not a brothel. A
large house divided into rooms, each with a working girl in probably is
a brothel.

There is no offence for a male 'customer' to be present in a brothel.
The owner commits the first offence as does the 'madame' if there is
one. However, the police MAY also prosecute the girls who work there,
saying they assist in the management by admitting customers, taking
their money etc.

Police powers and procedures.

Prostitutes are arrested, questioned, finger printed and photographed
and either cautioned for first offences or charged to appear at a
Magistrates Court.

Kerb crawlers are dealt with in one of several ways dependent on how
high a priority the police give to it. In places like London the police
are very keen and use advanced surveillance methods to stop kerb crawlers
including undercover officers, camera equipment and unmarked police
cars.

People caught can be cautioned, their details taken and that be an end
to the matter, no further action by the police but your details are
recorded and should you come to light again you may not be so lucky.

Secondly offenders can be reported, this means your details taken and a
prosecution file submitted to the Crown Prosecutors who will decide if
there is enough evidence to prosecute you and if it is in the public
interest. You can take it that generally there is enough evidence and it
is in the public interest and you will be prosecuted, expect a small
fine and your name in the paper.

Found in a brothel, no offence by itself but you will be asked for your
details and to provide a statement about what services you had/were
offered. You are not obliged to give your details but you may find
things are 'difficult' if you do not. Once you do give your details you
could be summonsed to appear at court to give your evidence, refuse to
appear and a warrant for your arrest will be issued and you will be
brought to court.

I would never advocate lying but if you have no ID with you and provide
a plausible but incorrect name then you can't be contacted can you.

Advice...Do take care, red light areas can be dangerous and a lot of men
who pick up girls are robbed and never report it to the police because
of embarrassment. 'Clipping' is now popular amongst street girls, they
look like pros, they are picked up by men, take the money and then do a
bunk giving no service at all.

Brothels and call out services are generally safer but recommendations
do count for a lot. Take care and use common sense but most of all
ENJOY.

Stalker
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