PROSTITUTION-SPECIFIC CRIMINAL RECORDS

Motion Text

That this House notes recent public and parliamentary scrutiny of the effect of criminal records on people, particularly on women, whose offences derive from having been prostituted; agrees that many of those involved in prostitution did not freely choose prostitution but felt coerced by their circumstances; acknowledges that offences relating to prostitution severely limit opportunities for employment, volunteering and other social or community activities; further acknowledges the negative psychological effects associated with both the persistence of such criminal labelling and an inability to participate in normal social activities; believes that people who are often the victims of exploitation should not themselves be considered a threat to society and stigmatised in this way; and calls on the Government urgently to address this injustice so that existing records are expunged and those involved in prostitution are helped to exit and rebuild their lives.