This report presents the key findings and recommendations from the Crime and Disorder associated with Prostitution Initiative. Chapters cover enforcement and community liaison, diversion and prevention, providing support to women, providing support to young people, and towards a model of needs and support.

Sex and drugs markets have serious costs for the community, particularly in terms of public disorder, public health and the vulnerability of those involved, especially minors. An earlier PRG report found that a significant minority of those who bought drugs in open markets were engaged in sex work. This report builds on this by examining the links in more detail and the scope for, and value in, tackling drug markets through preventive strategies aimed at sex markets. The report describes three areas where drugs markets co-exist with sex markets. It suggests that a properly coordinated strategic approach to the problem should combine enforcement with primary and secondary prevention aimed at preventing young people from becoming involved in sex work in the first place, and enabling those in it to leave. A particularly important recommendation is the need for the police to work together with other agencies, particularly health, to provide specialist services for drug-using sex workers. This report should be of great value to those developing strategies to tackle the social problems that emanate from and also those which fuel sex and drugs markets.

The strategy aims to: challenge the view that street prostitution is inevitable and here to stay; achieve an overall reduction in street prostitution; improve the safety and quality of life of communities affected by prostitution, including those individuals directly involved in street sex markets; and reduce all forms of commercial sexual exploitation.

In addition to recommending the victim-centred, holistic approach, this policy and strategy also recommends an approach based throughout on partnership with local authorities, other statutory agencies and nongovernmental organisations. It takes account of the National Threat Assessment and the link to drugs and organised crime.

This paper has been published to prompt a public debate on how to deal with the issues raised by prostitution in England and Wales. It covers routes into prostitution, protection and support for children abused through prostitution, supporting adults involved in prostitution, the role of the criminal law, links with serious crime and protecting communities. The consultation exercise, from July-November 2004, is aimed particularly at those with experience of involvement in prostitution, those with experience of the impact of prostitution in their neighbourhood, and from those agencies - both voluntary and statutory - working in this field.

This report provides a summary of the many responses received to the public consultation paper 'Paying the Price' and sets out the Government’s proposals for a coordinated prostitution strategy. This information, together with the scoping exercise for 'Paying the Price' and the evaluation of 11 projects funded by the Crime Reduction Programme, has informed the development of a coordinated prostitution strategy for England and Wales. It will focus on disrupting sex markets by preventing individuals, and particularly children and young people, from being drawn into prostitution; by providing appropriate protection and routes out for those already involved; by protecting communities from the nuisance associated with prostitution; and by ensuring that those who control, coerce or abuse those in prostitution are brought to justice.

This report covers definitions, the context of street prostitution, key factors identified in street prostitution, managing the process of responding to street prostitution, preventing involvement in street prostitution, early intervention, reducing harm and exiting.