Sex workers and the law

Using drugs whilst sex working can be a dangerous combination. Involvement with controlled drugs increases the risk of getting involved in the criminal justice system and can dramatically increase the risks to your safety that are associated with sex work.

The most important way of minimising risks to your safety is to avoid using drugs while you are working.

In the following paragraphs, we set out basic information about the laws that are most likely to be relevant. If you want further information, you should contact your solicitor or call Release. The UK Network of Sex Projects has an excellent guide: ‘Keeping Safe: Safety Advice for Sex Workers in the UK’ ( or contact 0161 629 9861).

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