During my visit to a TUC 2024 Fringe event on “Why Sex Work is a Trade Union Issue?” I as a Social Workers Union member was approached by a member of the English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP). They expressed concern that social workers often unfairly remove children from mothers involved in sex work, and brought my attention to Support Not Separation (SNS) – a coalition to end the separation of children from their mothers or other primary carers.
The ECP states:
“We’ve seen an increase over the last few years of mothers coming to us for help having been labelled bad mothers and threatened by social services with having their children taken. We work with Support Not Separation to help mums confront the widespread discrimination and abuse from social workers. For example, women in our group have been accused of ‘loving money and men more than their children’, promiscuity and dressing inappropriately. Their children are unreasonably scrutinised and interrogated sometimes without a adult present and even labelled ‘sexualised’.
“Most sex workers are mothers working to put food on the table and a roof over their children’s heads. Decades of austerity cuts have targeted single mothers in particular. Benefit cuts, rising homelessness and the low wages paid in other jobs traditionally done by women have left few choices for mums to cover the mounting cost of living.”
One reason for the lack of official statistics is because the prostitution laws make sex workers illegal workers and this means that sex working mums in particular are fearful of being public. I do agree that sex work, the world’s oldest profession, is heavily stigmatized by many in the social work field.
As a new member of the SWU Executive Committee, I believe it is crucial to raise this issue. The Social Workers Union should advocate for the decriminalization of sex work and support organizations like the ECP in their fight for workers’ rights, just like any other profession. Doing so could help reduce the stigma that sex workers—particularly mothers—face within social work.
Please find my brief report below:
Why decriminalisation of sex work is a trade union issue – in the Marine Room at the Brighton Harbour Hotel at the Trade Union Congress 2024 – Brighton Fringe Event
The was event Chaired by Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF).
Present: Maria Exall, Communication Workers’ Union (CWU); the new TUC President 2024 was also present at the event; Sarah Woolley, BFAWU; Nadia Whittome MP; Rosa Thomas, Decrim Now; English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP)
Sarah Wooley – Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU)
Sarah Wooley stated in her speech: Sex workers are often stigmatised and denied recognition as legitimate workers, leading to violations of their human rights. The clear solution is decriminalisation, as sex workers deserve legal protection and safe working conditions like any other profession. Without these, they remain vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
Criminalsation forces sex workers underground, making it harder to report abuse and worsening issues like human trafficking. Decriminalisation would ensure fair treatment and safety for all workers, as emphasised by the English Collective Prostitutes’ , which notes that arrests often leave workers in worse conditions. Protecting sex workers’ rights would allow them to live and work with dignity.
Rosa Thomas – Decrim Now
Rosa Thomas also added her point: Sex workers, especially queer people and migrants, are often let down by the system, with many turning to sex work due to limited support and options. Some choose it as a last resort, while others see it as their only viable path.
While there is growing support for decriminalising sex work among groups like trade unions and women’s conferences; despite joining strikes, sex workers still lack basic rights, such as sick pay. Additionally, financial institutions shutting down their accounts hinders policy change. Reporting abuse or unfair treatment can also risk brothel closures, putting workers and colleagues in jeopardy. They are calling for union solidarity to secure better protections and rights.
Nadia Whittome MP
Nadia Whittome, rasuredd MPs need to listen to sex workers instead of pushing for criminalisation, which isn’t the solution. Engaging with organisations like SWARM and the English Collective of Prostitutes is crucial to supporting sex workers’ demands for decriminalization.
Addressing broader issues like raising benefits, ensuring a living wage, and tackling housing costs is also essential. She referred to the Nordic model as dangerous.
The Nordic model is an approach that situates prostitution on a continuum of male violence against women. It is an approach that criminalizes the purchase of sex and pimping but decriminalizes prostituted individuals. This is known as “asymmetric criminalization”.
The Nordic model criminalizes buyers, but many MPs do not fully understand the impact on marginalized workers of asymmetric criminalization. The government has the power to protect them.
The Sex Workers’ Union advocates for decriminalisation and unionization, especially for LGBT+ workers affected by poverty. The trade union movement should support decriminalization and engage in respectful dialogue to push for real change. Solidarity is key.
Rosa Thomas added: Evidence on sex work remains limited, and platforms like OnlyFans show the dangers of criminalization, where illegal guidance and lack of industry knowledge put workers at risk. Working collectively is safer than working alone, making decriminalization crucial.
Trade unions need to address both poverty and improve conditions for sex workers. Rosa Thomas advocates for collective action and highlights that decriminalisation enhances safety. The notion that sex workers can simply “sell again tomorrow” overlooks their harsh realities.
New Zealand’s decriminalized system allows up to four workers to operate together without a license, while larger operations need certification. This model helps workers report abuse and take legal action without risking their workplace.
Sex workers are well-positioned to push for better conditions, such as a Central London woman who tried to raise prices—a move more feasible under decriminalisation.
MP Nadia also emphasised the need to tackle poverty to reduce reliance on sex work and support decriminalization for safety. While some debate the empowering nature of sex work, the focus should be on safer, viable options.
Amnesty International criticizes the Nordic model for worsening conditions and increasing police targeting in Northern Ireland. Broader campaigns should include solidarity with sex workers.
An event on November 12th will address how criminal records impact women’s custody rights, with expunging records being essential. Decriminalization would allow sex workers to advocate for their rights more openly and safely. More information on this event is in the section below.
Parliamentary launch event – Proceed Without Caution, 12th November 2024
The Parliamentary launch of PROCEED WITHOUT CAUTION: The Impact of “Prostitute’s Cautions” and Convictions on Sex Workers’ Lives event is organised by the English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP) and will be hosted by Nadia Whittome MP on Tuesday 12th November from 18:00-20:00 in the House of Commons, London. No registration is necessary to attend the event.
The event will also launch the “Accessing Justice: the role of policing in sex workers’ experience of justice” report by the European Sex Workers’ Rights Alliance (ESWA) in collaboration with ECP. Follow this link for more information on the event: https://prostitutescollective.net/event-parliamentary-launch-proceed-without-caution

Edith Till is a SWU Executive Committee member who has been elected to serve as a Student/NQSW Representative for a two-year term. Edith is also a social work student and a BASW Student Ambassador.