The Government should ensure historical convictions for sex work are exempt from being disclosed according to Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey.
Matt is in support of the ‘Proceed without Caution’ campaign being led by the English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP), which focuses on the detrimental impact of criminal convictions on the lives of sex workers.
He has written to the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips and Justice Secretary Shabana Mamood calling for the Government to back the network of women who are fighting for decriminalisation and safety of sex workers.
In the latest report by the ECP, over two-thirds of the women interviewed said that a sex work-related conviction had been the reason they found it hard to leave sex work and gain employment in civil society.
The Proceed Without Caution Report outlines the life-long consequences of having a conviction for sex work and the risk of further exploitation due the barriers of DBS checks and other security measures cause when finding another job.
The report highlights that having a record for a prostitution offence brands sex workers as criminals when in reality, most sex workers are victims of exploitation and financial hardship.
Matt said: “I echo the view that it is necessary to recognise that the vast majority of sex workers are victims, not criminals.
“It has been noted that sex workers consider their criminal records to be a significant barrier to exiting prostitution and securing alternative employment.
“Many just want to move on with their lives and be finally free from their often-traumatic past experiences and the unjust stigma they have endured for decades.
“I feel strongly that they should have the right to live their lives free from judgement, fear and humiliation and I urge the government to ensure historic sex work convictions are expunged.”
Matt recently conducted a consultation on his draft Police and Crime Plan, in which safety of women and girls will play a central part.
As commissioner, Matt is also heavily involved in work led by the North East Sex Work Forum to develop a Cleveland wide Sex Work Harm Reduction Strategy.
Read the PCC’s letter to Minister Jess Phillips Read the PCC's letter to Justice Secretary Shabana Mamood