Petition · past parliament

Decriminalise brothels - allow sex workers the right to work together for safety

Closed 1,046 signatures

What the petition asks

More than 1 Sex Worker working in a building is considered a brothel. Decriminalising makes it safe to work together, form trade unions, report crimes & be protected by regular employment laws. Criminalising workers/clients pushes Sex Work underground, making it more dangerous & harder to regulate.
In the UK running a brothel is illegal. This means 2 freelance Sex Workers can't work from the same flat for safety.

The brutal & degrading Soho Raids in 2013 saw women dragged in front of press in the street half-naked & falsely accused of theft, drug taking & being coerced. This has contributed further towards our marginalisation.

Decriminalising breaks stigma/stereotypes & protects those who enter the profession out of choice & people forced into it as they can approach the police safely.

Timeline

25 Sep 2015 Petition opened for signatures
25 Mar 2016 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 1,046
Status Closed
Opened 25 Sep 2015
Closed 25 Mar 2016

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.