I came accross this term in a news article recently - a story about a serial killer of prostitutes apparently working in Ipswich. The article suggested that this was some kind of official city-government controlled body. And a Google search seems to confirm this - the term showed up linked to various English cities and public officials.
But I didn’t find anything about their purpose, their powers, etc. What can you tell me?
Also, do prostitutes/prostitution have any legal status in England? Are there zones where it can be praqctised without police interference?
I’ve never heard the term prostitutes steering groups before so i’ll leave you to google away on that one.
Regards your other questions though, no cites but i’m pretty sure i’m right on this.
Do prostitutes have any legal status? Yes, they are criminals. Prostitution is against the law regardless of how/where etc.
Are there places it can be practiced without police interference? Yes, although this varies locally, and i think i’m correct in saying it’s more to do with the local councils rather than the juristiction of the police forces (probably TMI). It is illegal, no doubt about that, but some places have a tolerance policy with tolerance zones set-up. This is normally justified by two main arguments
A. It keep the prostitutes to a certain place and thus away form residential areas etc, i.e. it keeps it largely hidden from view for the types that wish to pretend it’s not happening.
B. It offers some safety to the prostitutes themselves, it not being the safest profession and all that. Not sure how well this works for ‘street’ prostitutes but Edinburgh has long had a policy of allowing ‘Sauna Parlours’ to be used as brothels because it keeps them off the streets.
This policy setting is probably where your steering groups fit in.
It certainly wouldn’t surprise me if there’s not various groups operating, some aided by public funds from town and county councils, which aim to tackle prostitution from the root causes (i.e. drug addiction and related issues). It won’t be any official body, though.
