Archive · 20 Nov 2025
UK Police Guidance Sparks Outrage: 'Sexual Entrepreneurs' Not Prostitutes
Police in England were told to call prostitutes 'sexual entrepreneurs', which made many people upset because they think it makes it seem like prostitution is a normal job instead of a bad thing where women are being exploited.
Some people think this will make it harder to stop sexual exploitation.
Police chiefs in Britain asked officers to refer to prostitutes as 'sexual entrepreneurs'
The move sparked anger and accusations of normalizing exploitation of women
The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) guidance was deemed 'harmful and inappropriate'
The guidance suggests 'sex work' is a 'career choice' for some, not a temporary arrangement
Critics argue the term 'sex work' normalizes sexual exploitation and abuse
- Who
- Police chiefs in Britain, officers, Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on Commercial Sexual Exploitation
- What
- Asked officers to address prostitutes as 'sexual entrepreneurs', sparked controversy over normalizing prostitution
- When
- Recently
- Where
- England
- Why
- To limit the use of the word 'prostitute' and 'prostitution' and address the issue of sexual exploitation
Police Chiefs and NPCC
Critics, including MP Tonia Antoniazzi and APPG
Terminology
Police Chiefs and NPCC
Use 'sexual entrepreneurs' and 'sex work' to limit 'prostitute' and 'prostitution'
Critics, including MP Tonia Antoniazzi and APPG
Use of 'sex work' is inappropriate and normalizes sexual exploitation
- Guidance Name
- Sex Work National Police Guidance
- Alternative Term
- Sexual entrepreneurs
- Controversial Term
- Sex work
- MP's Concern
- Confusion and undermining enforcement of legislation against sexual exploitation
- APPG's Stance
- Term 'sex work' is inappropriate and normalizes sexual exploitation