Prostitutes London

Historical Evolution of Sex Trade

The history of prostitution in London is a long and complex one, dating back to at least the 12th century. Throughout the centuries, the trade has been alternately tolerated, regulated, and suppressed by authorities. In medieval times, areas like Southwark, located outside the city walls, became notorious for brothels and other vices. The 18th century saw a period of relative openness, with famous courtesans achieving celebrity status, while the Victorian era brought about moral crackdowns and the Contagious Diseases Acts, which targeted women in an attempt to curb sexually transmitted infections among the military.

20th Century Legal Shifts

The 20th century witnessed further shifts, with the Wolfenden Report of 1957 leading to the Street Offences Act 1959, which effectively made soliciting illegal.

Contemporary Landscape and Debates

Today, prostitution itself is not illegal in the UK, but associated activities such as soliciting, kerb crawling, brothel-keeping, and pimping are criminal offenses. London continues to have visible street-based sex work, particularly in areas like King’s Cross, Soho, and Ilford, alongside a vast and hidden off-street market operating through escort agencies, online platforms, and private arrangements. Debates around decriminalization, legalization, and the Nordic Model (which criminalizes buyers) remain highly contentious.

*TAGS* – Contagious Diseases Acts, Street Offences Act 1959, Nordic Model debates