Prostitution – Historic Convictions

[naomi24]

//A group of women has gone to the High Court to fight for the right not to have to reveal to potential employers their past convictions for prostitution. They argue the law, which says they must disclose their convictions, discriminates against them as women and violates their human rights. All three claimants were convicted as teenagers but say they were trafficked by pimps and should now be free to live normal lives.//

I listened to a discussion on this tonight when it was suggested that such convictions should be treated in the same way as minor driving offences – eg points for speeding removed from the licence after a short period of time. Yes or no?

https://www.channel4.com/news/legal-battle-over-revealing-prostitution-convictions-to-employers

[-SharonA-]

Yes!! I agree it should be removed. After all it takes two to tango so why should these women be penalised?

[Mamyalynne]

My gut reaction is - Yes.

They aren't (as I see it ) a danger to society and should be able to prove themselves to be capable of doing a job they apply for without that extra baggage against them.

I imagine we could then think of other similar scenarios where this might apply - so it could get complicated.

[woofgang]

Well if they were victims then should they have been convicted in the first place? Incidentally the act of exchanging sex or sex related activity for money is not illegal. http://metro.co.uk/2017/03/20/what-are-the-laws-for-prostitution-in-the-uk-6521597/

[sapelesam]

I haven't read all the info on this matter, however, aren't these convictions spent after a certain amount of time. Do they still have to be disclosed. If not I think we need to find a way to move on, these are women trying to lead an honest life, not rely on benefits. Prostitution is a crime, in my opinion, where the prostitute is usually the victim.

[douglas9401]

One wonders how they ever found the time to run dance classes with everything else that was going on.

[Old_Geezer]

Tend to echo most of the views above. Save that a conviction is a conviction and prostitutes aren't exclusive female. It seems they ought not have been convicted based on the description, and even if they were doesn't the requirement to reveal run out after a bit ? I think they need to offer a better case for being an exception.

[shoota]

They were probably convicted of soliciting, the act of prostitution (selling sex) is not an offence.

[kvalidir]

Yes of course. I think prostitution convictions should not be held over people trying to obtain certain types of employment ( it's not generally after 7 years I think under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act) but is for certain professions. I think that should be true of men and women with prostitution convictions however. That being said if Prostitution was legal there would be less of this issue in the first place.

[Jackdaw33]

As has been pointed out above, prostitution IS legal. Touting for business on the streets isn't.

[woofgang]

It is legal, it is soliciting which is not legal.

[Jackdaw33]

Soliciting may well be legal providing it is not done on the streets. What about those cards which used to adorn phone boxes in London (and may still do for all I know): Advanced lessons from experienced French model. Ring xxxxxxx.

[Old_Geezer]

Still failed my French O-level :-(

[Jackdaw33]

LOL! I got a grade A.

[ummmm]

They shouldn't have been convicted in the first place, imo.

[emmie]

if they want a new life then good luck to them,

[woofgang]

according to the link that I provided, cards in phone boxes are illegal too.

[Gromit]

I agree the convictions should be expunged after a couple of years.
It is a stupid reason to be denied a job. Anything that gets them into legal employment and those unemployed because of the disclosure off benefits, has to be a good thing.

[Deskdiary]

Should never have been convicted.

Prostitutes provide a service to people who are willing to pay for that service, which is legal, so I find it daft that touting for business to sell the service is illegal.

[andy-hughes]

I would suggest that any offence for which an appropriate punishment has been issued, should not be a bar to future potential employment.

These situations need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis, but in this instance, it is clear that employment should not be hindered by past convictions of this type.

[dannyk13]

Yes, the convictions should be removed.