Do I need a sexual offence solicitor if accused of prostitution? ABV Solicitors There are multiple offences that can be classed as prostitution. However, it is not actually illegal for people to exchange money or other commodities for sex. If a person is accused of crimes including prostitution they will need to instruct a sexual offence solicitor to help defend their case. The CPS say that they focus on the punishment of those who coerce other people into prostitution work to take advantage and ruin the lives of others. They are said to work with the police and other agencies to help those people who work within the sex industry to find other avenues of employment. A guide to the practical legality of prostitution Prostitution is described as a sexual exploitation within the CPS’s Violence Against Women and Girls portfolio. The unique policies that work within this organisation will be applied fairly when it comes to any prosecutions, in this case any accused will need to instruct a sexual offence solicitor to aid their argument in court. Any sexual offence solicitor working to defend a client should acknowledge the independence with which prostitution is policed within certain areas. For many offences with connotations to prostitution such as loitering and soliciting, kerb crawling, paying for a sexual service, owning a brothel or advertising prostitution - the police have ways to mange this discreetly. Not to detain or tell the CPS of those thought to be taking part in a crime, to arrest and charge the offence with no reference to a prosecutor, no matter if the accused wants to plead guilty or not guilty. In some cases they will give a basic warning to a suspect. They may conclude that no further action should be taken, or give a defendant a caution if they think that it is an appropriate measure.. The reason this is important is that a sexual offence solicitor will be able to understand why exactly charges have been bought against you, and if you have been wrongly accused or charged without the right evidence. It’s extremely unlikely the individual sex worker will be charged so you need to make clear what you are being accused of with your sexual offence solicitor. Police guidance as listed above is only guidance, and provides just practical advice when policing prostitutional issues. Violence against those involved in prostitution When working alongside a sexual offence solicitor, it may come to light that the sex worker has themselves been subject to abuse at the hands of the person organising the sex work. A sexual offence solicitor will work to understand what abuse they have suffered and can work to bring charges against the other party. It is widely reported that offenders committingphysical and sexual abuse often target sex workers as they are unlikely to bring charges against them. The sexual offence solicitor will work to create a case through evidence, witnesses and experience. A sexual offence solicitor will also be able to look into any allegations of sex and human trafficking that could be linked to the charges of prostitution. Human trafficking is a large scale business often linked to organised crime within the sex industry. It is often the people at the top of these chains that are the criminals in need of conviction. SOURCES: https://www.abvsolicitors.co.uk/services/sexual-offences https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/prostitution-and-exploitation-prostitution https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/prostitution-defenses-when-charges-are-filed-39374