Debate over sex work laws as charities warn more women are entering industry

Charities across the UK report a significant increase in vulnerable women entering sex work, with One25 in Bristol seeing a 76% rise in demand for services over two years and Changing Lives in Merseyside noting online sex ads jumping from 180 to 1,400. The surge, attributed to the cost of living crisis, has intensified debate over sex work laws. Current UK law criminalizes soliciting in public and brothel-keeping while decriminalizing the sale of sex. Advocates like Baroness Thangam Debbonaire push for the Nordic model, criminalizing buyers while decriminalizing sellers, citing safety concerns. However, sex workers like Audrey argue this would drive the industry underground, making it more dangerous, and instead call for full decriminalization of both buying and selling sex to improve worker safety and organization.