PROSTITUTION-SPECIFIC CRIMINAL RECORDS

That this House notes recent public and parliamentary scrutiny of the effect of criminal records on people, particularly on women, whose offences derive from having been prostituted; agrees that many of those involved in prostitution did not freely choose prostitution but felt coerced by their circumstances; acknowledges that offences relating to prostitution severely limit opportunities for employment, volunteering and other social or community activities; further acknowledges the negative psychological effects associated with both the persistence of such criminal labelling and an inability to participate in normal social activities; believes that people who are often the victims of exploitation should not themselves be considered a threat to society and stigmatised in this way; and calls on the Government urgently to address this injustice so that existing records are expunged and those involved in prostitution are helped to exit and rebuild their lives.