Sex for sale 'widespread, cheap'

2008-09-04 14:04

London - Sex workers in London are offering full sex for just £15, according to a report on Thursday, which said it showed the "disturbing prevalence" of the sex industry in the capital.

The Poppy Project, a charity that works with trafficked women, surveyed more than 900 brothels and found many offered high-risk "services" including unprotected sex for an additional payment of just £10.

It also found that women from 75 ethnic backgrounds worked as sex workers.

Researchers posing as potential clients phoned some 921 brothels which advertised in local newspapers and discovered that many of the women came from well-known trafficking hotspots such as eastern Europe and southeast Asia.

The average age of sex workers was 21, but a number of brothels offered "very young girls" although they did not admit to having underage girls available, the Poppy Project report said.

It also found that 63% of London's brothels were located in private houses and flats.

"This research shows the disturbing prevalence of the sex industry in every corner of London, fuelled by the demand for prostitution services," said Helen Atkins, the co-author of the report.

"Multi-media misrepresentations of commercial sex as a glamorous, easy and fun career choice for girls and women further contribute to the ubiquity of London's brothel industry.

"However, for most women involved in prostitution, the reality is a cycle of violence and coercion, perpetuated by poverty and inequality."

- AFP