Do You Know Your Rights as a UK Sex Worker?

The used panty marketplace

Although prostitution and sex work are legal in over a dozen countries around the world, including the UK (with the exception of Northern Ireland), the laws and regulations surrounding these practices aren’t exactly cut and dry. Many of the activities associated with prostitution and other sex work are, in fact, illegal. For example, soliciting money for sex is legal but running a brothel is not. So where’s the line between legal sex work that earns you a living and illegal practices that might land you in hot water (or jail)? We thought you’d never ask! 

Whether you’re flirting with the idea of prostitution, opening a brothel, or selling sex services online, there are a few things you should know before starting out in this industry. 

Keep reading for a complete guide to your rights as a UK sex worker plus tips for protecting yourself, your income, and your best interests.

What Exactly Is a Sex Worker?

The phrase ‘sex worker’ is used as an umbrella term for anyone using sexual behavior as capital. Basically, a client pays for a certain service and the sex worker performs it. These ‘services’ include everything from sex acts (intercourse, oral, and other) to stripping or producing elicit videos and photographs. 

With that being said, anyone posting adult content for websites like Pornhub or OnlyFans may also be considered a sex worker. You don’t need to actually have sex with anyone to fall into this category, either. Because this term has a lot of definitions, the line between legal and illegal is sometimes blurred. It’s important to know your rights so you can protect yourself, your clients, and your livelihood.

What You Need to Know About Legal Sex Work in the UK

Because legalized prostitution in the UK has a lot of gray areas, you might find yourself breaking the law without even realizing it. Online sex work also comes with its own set of laws and regulations. Let’s take a closer look at some of the UK laws surrounding this controversial, yet empowering and lucrative, line of work. 

Prostitution is Legal (sort of)

At its most basic level, prostitution in the UK is legal. By definition, prostitution is the practice or occupation of engaging in sexual activity with someone for payment. That means if you’re willing and able to have sex for money and find a paying customer, you can legally exchange goods (your sexy body) for payment without any legal ramifications. The trick is finding and attracting clients without breaking the law. (More on this in a minute).

While the mere act of selling sex for money isn’t illegal, the way you conduct business may be. For example, running a brothel, acting as a pimp, kerb-walking, and loitering are all illegal acts associated with prostitution. And yes, you can get arrested and charged for these crimes. Knowing the laws and your rights are crucial for fighting unfounded charges and avoiding arrest.

Brothels

Brothels first became popular in the 1800s when dozens of female prostitutes would conduct business under one roof. Men would visit these locations and have their pick of several beautiful ladies, with bedrooms conveniently located upstairs. Brothels were sometimes referred to as houses of ill repute and since then, have been outlawed in the UK. One creative way around this law is to run a pop-up brothel. Pimps or madams will run their business out of a hotel room for a week or just a weekend before moving onto another location to evade police. This is a risky game and one you should avoid at all costs. 

Kerb-Walking

In the 19th century, prostitutes started branching out on their own and hitting the streets – literally. Prostitutes standing on street corners looking for Johns (paying customers) were coined “streetwalkers”. This same practice in the UK is known as “kerb-crawling”. Women stand on a street corner or walk up and down the block looking for men interested in sex. And trust us, the men knew exactly where to go to solicit sex. 

You can still find streetwalkers across the world conducting business illegally. Not only is this practice extremely dangerous since streetwalkers often frequent dark city streets and alleyways, but these women are vulnerable and alone, with no one to protect them. There’s also no way to perform a background check on a random stranger who pulls up to the street corner. You’re basically at the mercy of your client, whom you know nothing about. 

Pimps and Madams

One way to combat these dangers and unknowns is to work for a pimp or madam. Pimps (men) and madams (women) are responsible for managing the finances, setting rates, and arranging meetings for a select group of prostitutes. They also provide a certain level of protection and security. 

Some pimps will perform background checks on solicitors before sending their girls to a job or retaliate against non paying or offensive customers. In some cases, pimps and madams stake claim on a certain street or area to cut down on competition. Unfortunately for the sex workers, this protection comes at a cost. In some cases, the pimp or madam will take advantage of their workers, keeping a large portion of their earnings and in some cases, forcing them to work or perform sex acts against their will. This is one reason pimping is outlawed in most countries including the UK. In fact, this practice is considered a felony in the US and could carry up to an eight-year prison sentence.

The Legal Loopholes of UK Prostitution

Since most prostitutes are on their own in terms of marketing themselves, finding clients, vetting them, and collecting the money, you need to know your rights and the laws in case you find yourself on the wrong side of the law. 

Soliciting and Loitering

One of the most common charges against UK prostitutes is soliciting and loitering. This means you were caught selling sex publically or loitering (standing around or outside a business or area with no apparent purpose). You can’t be arrested or charged with a crime for your first offense. Prostitutes in the UK must get two “prostitute cautions” or warnings on two separate occasions before legal action can take place. If the officers suspect you’ve committed an offense, they can search and fingerprint you on the spot. 

Criminal Behavior Orders

Criminal Behavior Orders and Public Space Protection Orders are civil orders put in place to prevent antisocial behavior. These orders allow police to ban certain people from a designated area due to their behavior or conduct. Often times, local residents or business owners will report kerb-walking or prostitutes in their area, triggering a heavy police presence. 

Breaching these orders is a criminal offense. In these cases, instead of being charged with soliciting and loitering, you may receive what’s known as an Engagement Support Order. While this is better in one way, it also means that if you breach it, you’ll be arrested, held for 3 days, sent to court, and have to pay a fine.

Brothel-Keeping

Even though brothels are illegal, many UK sex workers find a way around these laws. One such way is by using the pop-up brothels mentioned above. Other workers simply run their prostitution business out of their home. If you’re the sole resident and the only one selling sex for money, you’re protected by legal prostutition. If, however, multiple prostitutes are working out of a single residence, you could be charged with brothel-keeping – even if you’re not home at the time of the raid or arrest. Remember, the police have to prove that more than one person is providing sex for money out of the home and they can’t enter without a warrant. 

Be mindful of the records and information you keep around the house. For example, work rotas or schedules, a menu of sexual services, and phone or email coorespondance can all be used against you. If you can prove that the residence was run in a collective way to protect your safety, you may be able to beat the charges against you. Landlords who rent their property knowing it will be used for habitual prostitution or as a brothel may also be charged.

In addition to charges for brothel-keeping, you may also get a closure notice for your home or place of business. You can object to this within the first 48 hours of being served. After filing a complaint, you’ll be issued a court date where you can ask for an adjournment and extension to prepare your case. Most closures last for approximately 90 days.

The Impact of Sex Trafficking Laws on Legal Prostitution 

Sex workers that make a living off their “talents” have been met with some pretty major legislative changes that are negatively impacting business. The reason for this? Two words – sex trafficking. 

One study showed an alarming 185% increase in human trafficking since the Covid-19 pandemic hit nearly three years ago. In an effort to cut down on human trafficking and protect those being exploited, new laws and regulations were put in place. Women and children are the most highly-targeted demographic for human trafficking, with fellow women making up 30% of all traffickers

One such controversial law was the 2018 FOSTA-SESTA. While these laws were passed in the United States, it’s still writing on the wall for what may be to come for UK sex workers in the near future. The effects can also be felt across the pond, so to speak. What started out as two separate bills, FOSTA (All States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act) and SESTA (Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act), both were signed into law in 2018 by President Trump. Most can agree that sex trafficking is wrong and should be stopped. The argument for FOSTA-SESTA is that there’s no way to tell the difference online between women and children who are kidnapped and/or used for sex trafficking and willing participants who are selling a service. In an effort to protect the former, the rights of the latter have been compromised. 

Certain parameters of FOSTA-SESTA impact how UK sex workers find and vet clients, putting them at increased danger of doing business with an individual looking to do harm. For example, some UK sex workers were forced to shut down parts of their website they once used for arranging and scheduling safe meetings with clients. Now, sex workers are forced to find new, less secure ways of vetting clients in order to conduct business safely. As history shows us (thank you Prohibition), making something illegal doesn’t stop it from happening. It only forces the “offenders” to get more creative and find ways to conduct business under the radar. The forbidden is sometimes even more appealing to some. When it comes to outlawing sex work and prostitution, it does the opposite of protecting workers, by instead, putting them at greater risk as they strive to make a living. 

Online Sex Work in the UK

Because the online world is so vast, sex workers living in areas where prostitution is legal may still find themselves breaking US laws as outlined in FOSTA-SESTA – this includes UK sex workers. 

In 2021, some of the biggest names in social media including OnlyFans, Instagram, and Twitter removed and banned any accounts that even hinted toward prostitution, sex, or the selling of sexually explicit material. While you may not be charged criminally, losing your OnlyFans page, followers, and income that you’ve worked tirelessly to build could be a devastating moment. Just ask OnlyFans escort Lucie Bee, who lost thousands of followers and dollars when her OnlyFans account was unexpectedly shut down due to violating community guidelines. The social media platform Tumblr was another FOSTA-SESTA casualty when in December of 2018 the platform panicked, removed all pornographic content from its feeds and went on to take a financial hit it never recovered from.

The worst part for sex workers using US-based websites like OnlyFans to promote and advertise their services is that they’re at the mercy of Big Brother. Social media platforms don’t have to give a reason for shutting down your account and wiping your social media page clean. They can simply ban you, citing FOSTA-SESTA, and in one click of the mouse, send your career into a tailspin. This leaves many sex workers scared and uncertain about their future in the online sex industry.  

How to Become a LEGAL Online Sex Worker

Sadly, there’s no guarantee that your online account is safe from the increasingly harsh laws surrounding sex work. That’s why it’s time to get creative about how your conduct business and find new and innovative ways of legally making money doing sex work. Here are just a few suggestions to get you started on the path to financial freedom. 

Sell Your Used Underwear

That’s right. You can take off your panties and get paid without ever leaving the house! Selling used underwear online has become increasingly popular in recent years. There are thousands of eager buyers out there who want to see, feel, and yes, sniff, your used panties. On sites like Sofia Gray, you can advertise your panties under a variety of different scents. These include:

  • Everyday wear
  • Masturbation
  • Sex
  • Workout
  • Urine
  • Period (menstrual cycle)
  • Stuffed (panties that are stuffed in different parts of the body – use your imagination)

The average pair of used panties will bring in between $30 and $50 but if you find a client willing and eager to pay more for something super niche, you might double, or even triple your earnings. Selling used underwear online is the perfect way to embrace your sexuality and earn a few extra dollars without breaking any laws!

Focus on a Fetish

Speaking of niche categories, there’s endless opportunity for making money online if you’re comfortable with fetishes. While it may take some leg work, people with strange or unconventional fetishes are happy to pay top dollar if you’re willing to accommodate their obscure needs. 

Foot fetishes are some of the most common. You can sell feet pictures online in a variety of categories from high heels and sandals to pedicures, tattoos, bondage, and more. Other ways to capitalize on fetishes include dressing up like animals (furries), being an online dominatrix, or even roleplaying as your client’s online girlfriend. 

Phone Sex Operator

An oldie but a goodie, phone sex is still a thing. If you have a sexy or sultry voice and an affliction for dirty talk, you can make money either online or over the phone as a sex phone operator. One report showed that the average, full-time sex phone operator makes almost $45,000 a year! If you’re comfortable with moaning, whimpering, and a little heavy breathing for the benefit of your listener, you can have a lucrative career in this legal sex work industry.

ASMR

Sticking with auditory stimulation, ASMR is another type of sex work that’s gaining ground and followers online – and fast! ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) describes a relaxing, sometimes arousing, tingling feeling that some people experience when exposed to specific stimuli. Things like having their hair brushed or washed, listening to someone tap their fingernails on a hard surface, or watching someone unbox a product can all elicit this overwhelmingly warm and fuzzy feeling for certain people. 

ASMR porn is more sexual in nature and often involves isolated sounds associated with sex like moaning, whispering, lip-smacking, sucking, and licking. Some ASMR creators (ASMRtists) even post videos of themselves masturbating, using sex toys, or performing oral sex with the sound isolated and amplified for the viewers’ pleasure. ASMR porn is truly an art that takes on many forms and brings in some major cash! 

Write Erotica

Not everyone needs visual or auditory stimulation for sexual pleasure. Some people get off on just reading naughty stories and descriptions. If you have a way with words and a creative mind, you can write and sell erotica stories online. This is the perfect sex work for anyone hesitant to share more than just their ideas with the world. Erotica doesn’t involve pictures, videos, or direct interaction with your fans and followers. You can start an erotica blog, write and publish your own ebook, or write for an established adult website.

Legal Sex Work Takes on Many Different Forms

There’s nothing worse than following your dreams and establishing yourself in an industry only to have the rug pulled out from under you. Sadly, this is what many UK sex workers have experienced in recent years – and will continue to face well into the future.

Sex work is still work! Many sex workers enjoy what they do and don’t feel degraded or ashamed, as some might believe. Instead, they feel empowered and desirable. Sadly, some people exploit others for their own personal gain, forcing the government’s hand in creating stricter laws surrounding sex work and prostitution. While prositution is still legal in the UK (for now), certain US laws have made it increasingly difficult for these workers to make money online. Sex work isn’t about women with low self-esteem snapping selfies. It’s about making a living doing what you love.

If you want to embark on a career as a sex worker in the UK, it’s important to know the laws, your rights, and how to successfully work within these parameters. Now, all that’s left to do is to embrace your beauty, your sexuality, and get to work!