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Sexual Offences Act 2003

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Changes over time for: Cross Heading: Prostitution

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Changes to legislation:

Sexual Offences Act 2003, Cross Heading: Prostitution is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 06 May 2025. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

[F1Prostitution]E+W

Textual Amendments

F1Heading "becomes "Prostitution"" (1.4.2010) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. {19}, 116(1); S.I. 2010/507, art. 5(f) (with transitional and savings provision in art. 6)

[F251ASolicitingE+W

(1)It is an offence for a person in a street or public place to solicit another (B) for the purpose of obtaining B's sexual services as a prostitute.

(2)The reference to a person in a street or public place includes a person in a vehicle in a street or public place.

(3)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(4)In this section “street” has the meaning given by section 1(4) of the Street Offences Act 1959.]

Textual Amendments

F2S. 51A inserted (1.4.2010) by Policing and Crime Act 2009, {ss. 19}, 116(1); S.I. 2010/507, art. 5(f) (with art. 6)

52Causing or inciting prostitution for gainE+W

[F3(1)A person commits an offence if—

(a)he intentionally causes or incites another person to become a prostitute in any part of the world, and

(b)he does so for or in the expectation of gain for himself or a third person.

(2)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both;

(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years.]

53Controlling prostitution for gainE+W

[F4(1)A person commits an offence if—

(a)he intentionally controls any of the activities of another person relating to that person’s prostitution in any part of the world, and

(b)he does so for or in the expectation of gain for himself or a third person.

(2)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both;

(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years.]

[F553APaying for sexual services of a prostitute subjected to force etc.E+W

(1)A person (A) commits an offence if—

(a)A makes or promises payment for the sexual services of a prostitute (B),

(b)a third person (C) has engaged in exploitative conduct of a kind likely to induce or encourage B to provide the sexual services for which A has made or promised payment, and

(c)C engaged in that conduct for or in the expectation of gain for C or another person (apart from A or B).

(2)The following are irrelevant—

(a)where in the world the sexual services are to be provided and whether those services are provided,

(b)whether A is, or ought to be, aware that C has engaged in exploitative conduct.

(3)C engages in exploitative conduct if—

(a)C uses force, threats (whether or not relating to violence) or any other form of coercion, or

(b)C practises any form of deception.

(4)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.]

Textual Amendments

F5S. 53A inserted (1.4.2010) by Policing and Crime Act 2009, {ss. 14}, 116(1); S.I. 2010/507, art. 5(a) (subject to art. 6)

54[F6Sections 51A to 53A]: interpretationE+W

[F7(1)In [F8sections 52, 53 and 53A], “gain” means—

(a)any financial advantage, including the discharge of an obligation to pay or the provision of goods or services (including sexual services) gratuitously or at a discount; or

(b)the goodwill of any person which is or appears likely, in time, to bring financial advantage.

[F9(2)In sections 51A, 52, 53 and 53A “prostitute” means a person (A) who, on at least one occasion and whether or not compelled to do so, offers or provides sexual services to another person in return for payment or a promise of payment to A or a third person; and “prostitution” is to be interpreted accordingly.

(3)In subsection (2) and section 53A, “payment” means any financial advantage, including the discharge of an obligation to pay or the provision of goods or services (including sexual services) gratuitously or at a discount.]]

Textual Amendments

F6S. 54 heading: words substituted (1.4.2010) by Policing and Crime Act 2009, ss. 112(1), 116(1), {Sch. 7 para. 24(d)}; S.I. 2010/507, art. 5(v) (with transitional and savings provision in art. 6)

F8Words in s. 54(1) substituted (1.4.2010) by Policing and Crime Act 2009, ss. 112(1), 116(1), {Sch. 7 para. 24(a)}; S.I. 2010/507, art. 5(v) (subject to art. 6)

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