Regulating Street Sex Workers: A Reflection on the Use and Reform of Anti-Social Behaviour Measures

Abstract

A broad range of behaviour is covered by the concept of anti-social behaviour (ASB) and includes behaviour which is criminal (such as vandalism, graffiti and harassment) and incidents of disorder and everyday nuisance. Minor incidents of ASB may be trivial in isolation, but the cumulative impact of such behaviour can have a devastating effect on individuals and communities (Squires, 2008, p. 312; Field, 2003, p. 45; Wilson and Kelling, 1982, p. 5). Illustrative of the public concern with ASB in England and Wales, are the 2.1 million incidents of ASB which were recorded by the police for the year ending June 2014.¹ However, if we take into consideration the potential number of ASB cases reported to landlords and local authorities, as well as those left unreported, the total number of ASB incidents is likely to be far greater. In order to prevent incidents of ASB measures such as the Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) and the Criminal Anti-Social Behaviour Order (CrASBO) were implemented, which have been used to regulate street sex workers. It is impossible to say how many such orders have been issued against street sex workers (or, how many orders might have been breached) because the Home Office and local authorities are not required to keep records of the types of behaviour for which the orders were imposed. Following the implementation of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, the ASBO and the CrASBO will be replaced by two new measures.