Ending the criminalisation and stigmatisation of victims of sexual exploitation

Summary

That this House recognises prostitution as a form of sexual exploitation and welcomes the recognition of women subjected to sexual exploitation and trafficking as victims, particularly since the enactment of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA); notes, however, that many women convicted of loitering or soliciting for the purpose of prostitution under section 1 of the Street Offences Act continue to face stigma and disadvantage through the retention of criminal records arising from violence, exploitation and trafficking; further notes that, before 2003, the offence applied only to women and was therefore discriminatory on the basis of sex, and that women continued to be disproportionately affected after it was made sex-neutral; welcomes action on grooming gangs, including through Baroness Casey's recent review and the current Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs; further welcomes the Government's introduction of a disregard and pardon scheme for those convicted under the age of 18 under sections 116 and 117 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026; also notes that many victims of sexual exploitation with criminal records for offences committed when aged 18 or over were groomed or exploited as children and remained under the control of traffickers and pimps into adulthood, while others continued to suffer its effects after escaping it; acknowledges that many such women were trafficked; notes the UK's human rights obligations; and therefore calls on the Government to repeal the offence of loitering or soliciting and extend the disregard and pardon scheme to include offences committed when aged 18 or over.

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Timeline

1. 26 October 2026

   Early Day Motion

   That this House recognises prostitution as a form of sexual exploitation and welcomes the recognition of women subjected to sexual exploitation and trafficking as victims, particularly since the enactment of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA); notes, however, that many women convicted of loitering or soliciting for the purpose of prostitution under section 1 of the Street Offences Act continue to face stigma and disadvantage through the retention of criminal records arising from violence, exploitation and trafficking; further notes that, before 2003, the offence applied only to women and was therefore discriminatory on the basis of sex, and that women continued to be disproportionately affected after it was made sex-neutral; welcomes action on grooming gangs, including through Baroness Casey's recent review and the current Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs; further welcomes the Government's introduction of a disregard and pardon scheme for those convicted under the age of 18 under sections 116 and 117 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026; also notes that many victims of sexual exploitation with criminal records for offences committed when aged 18 or over were groomed or exploited as children and remained under the control of traffickers and pimps into adulthood, while others continued to suffer its effects after escaping it; acknowledges that many such women were trafficked; notes the UK's human rights obligations; and therefore calls on the Government to repeal the offence of loitering or soliciting and extend the disregard and pardon scheme to include offences committed when aged 18 or over.

   Source: Early Day Motion

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Sponsors

• Tonia Antoniazzi · Labour · Primary sponsor

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