BMJ  2007;334:187 (27 January), doi:10.1136/bmj.39104.638785.59

Observations

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British policy makes sex workers vulnerable

We welcome the timely call for decriminalisation of sex work in the editorial by Goodyear and Cusick (BMJ 2007;334:52-3). The murders of sex workers in Ipswich have led to the repetition of stereotypes that only serve to dehumanise women in the sex industry and make them more vulnerable. We wish to highlight some further flaws in the evidence used by the government and others in justification of their demonising of sex workers.

There is no evidence that 90% of UK sex workers are addicted to heroin or crack or that 45% were abused as children. These data, along with numerous alternative versions in the media, are attributed to the Home Office consultation exercise Paying the Price (2004), but we have heard nothing about the many responses that refuted these stereotypes in detail. Our research in London has followed sex workers from the mid-1980s to 2000, and our study is, . . . [Full text of this article]

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• Shannon, K., Strathdee, S. A., Shoveller, J., Rusch, M., Kerr, T., Tyndall, M. W. (2009). Structural and Environmental Barriers to Condom Use Negotiation With Clients Among Female Sex Workers: Implications for HIV-Prevention Strategies and Policy. AJPH 99: 659-665 [Abstract] [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Public health policy must be based on sound evidence, not opinion

Michael DE Goodyear
bmj.com, 6 Apr 2007 [Full text]

Should prostitution be legalised and regulated?

C J Spencer Jones
bmj.com, 16 Apr 2007 [Full text]

Sex workers, STIs & prostitution policy

Hilary R Kinnell
bmj.com, 18 Apr 2007 [Full text]