Prostitution policy, morality and the precautionary principle

Purpose: This paper explores the contemporary regulation of sex work in England and Wales, placing this in the context of debates concerning morality, evidence and the efficacy of policy.

Design/methodology/approach: This brief paper is based on reflections on the authors’ research and contribution to policy debates over the last two decades.

Findings: This paper presents prostitution policy as morality policy and suggests that this discounts evidence in favour of a precautionary approach based on the idea that prostitution is sinful and hence must be inherently harmful.

Practical implications: The paper makes a strong case for evidence-based policy in an area where morality tends to promote a more partial and selective reading of evidence.

Social implications: It is argued that the dominance of a particular policy approach to sex work perpetuates stigma for those in the sex industries and exacerbates risks of harm.

Originality/value: The drift towards the criminalization of sex work in England and Wales mirrors that in many other nations, but this is not informed by academic evidence. This paper argues for a more balanced assessment of evidence and the consideration of data rather than a privileging of particular moral standpoints.