Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Prostitution and Sex Trafficking: Demand

10 June 2025 · 5 other contributors · 3,942 words

Opened by Tracy Gilbert Lab Edinburgh North and Leith

Responding minister: Jess Phillips

Crime & Law Enforcement

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Tracy Gilbert raised concerns about prostitution and sex trafficking: demand in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns were raised about 28,000 reviews on a sex buyers website where the most misogynistic reviews were used to control women's behavior.
  • Calls were made for UK-wide legislation similar to Northern Ireland's Human Trafficking and Exploitation Act to make profiting from prostitution illegal.
  • The Government stated that their position would be informed by the views of victims and survivors, the voluntary and community sector, and the police.

Key requests to Government

Calls for UK-wide legislation similar to Northern Ireland's Human Trafficking and Exploitation Act (2015) making profiting from prostitution of others illegal.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Tracy Gilbert Lab Edinburgh North and Leith

There are approximately 28,000 reviews on one sex buyers website. Research shows that the most misogynistic reviews were used to control women's behaviour, publicly punishing resistance while rewarding compliance with sexual demands.

Other contributors (5)
  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Compliments Tracy Gilbert on bringing the debate forward. Asks if she agrees with legislation to make profiting from prostitution a criminal offence.

  • Joani Reid Lab East Kilbride and Strathaven

    The hon. Friend inquired about the private Members' Bill tabled by Ash Regan in the Scottish Parliament, which seeks to decriminalise the sale of sex.

  • Kirsteen Sullivan Lab/Co-op Bathgate and Linlithgow

    Congratulates Tracy Gilbert for bringing the debate forward. Questions if pimping websites facilitate sex trafficking, making it easier for traffickers to profit from exploitation.

  • Sharon Hodgson Lab Washington and Gateshead South

    The hon. Member supported the lead MP's argument that outlawing pimping websites does not drive prostitution underground but rather increases prosecution rates, reducing demand.

  • The Minister of State for Security and Economic Crime James Cartlidge

    The Government are supporting law enforcement to tackle modern slavery threats and targeting prolific perpetrators, keeping policies under review to ensure online companies fulfil their duty to eradicate exploitation from their sites.

Government Response

Jess Phillips

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Hobhouse. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh North and Leith for securing the debate... The Government’s position will be informed by the views of victims and survivors, the voluntary and community sector, which works directly with victims and survivors, the police and others.

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