FiLiA Women First FOI Report on Services for Women Involved in the Sex Trade

The Women First 2025 Freedom of Information report examines how local authorities across the UK support women involved in the sex trade. Based on responses from 241 local authority areas, the report reveals significant gaps in specialist provision, oversight and exit support for women facing sexual exploitation.

Only 18% of local authorities reported directly commissioning a dedicated service for women involved in the sex trade, with most areas relying on patchwork provision through charities, sexual health clinics or addiction services. The report raises concerns that support is too often centred on harm reduction alone, particularly STI screening and condom distribution; without addressing the wider realities of trauma, violence, poverty, housing insecurity and coercion that many women experience.

The findings also show that fewer than 10% of areas monitor these services through their Violence Against Women and Girls frameworks, despite evidence of the high levels of violence faced by women in prostitution. While most women in prostitution want to leave, only 29% of areas reported offering distinct exit support, and many services do not clearly communicate that such support is available.

Alongside survivor reflections, the report calls for prostitution to be recognised as male violence, increased funding for specialist services, visible pathways out of exploitation, improved staff training and better national data collection.

Read more about FiLiA Women First here.