Tackling on-street sex work

Abstract

This article considers the deployment of anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) against female sex workers in light of the UK government's quest for the development of coherent legal and policy frameworks to tackle the problem of on-street sex work. First, it seeks to critique the exclusionary ASBO as an inappropriate approach to tackle sex work. Next, it discusses the pre-ASBO consultation procedure, which was meant to bring welfare agencies to the consultation table prior to the issue of an ASBO. Finally, it considers the ASBO as a mechanism of control capable of working `in tandem' with local inclusive initiatives that aim to provide practical, material and emotional assistance to enable sex workers to exit the streets. It is concluded that ASBOs should not be issued against sex workers, particularly given their potential to impact negatively on social/welfare work.