Battle to axe prostitutes sex adverts on internet

Oct 12 2008

ANTI-VICE campaigners have urged Ministers to close a loophole allowing hookers to advertise on the web.

Labour Justice spokeswoman Pauline McNeill revealed there is now a boom in prostitutes offering sex for sale online because new laws failed to include the internet.

The Act only made it illegal for men to solicit prostitutes in public places, such as streets and car parks.

The Glasgow Kelvin MSP said: "Prostitution over the internet is something that Parliament needs to properly address. The internet seems to have been ignored and the argument over whether it's a public place is something we should look at." One legal source said: "Suddenly we have a large online industry offering every kind of sexual service. Politicians must take action."

More women have gone online after police crackdowns on red-light areas.

Linda Thompson, of the Women's Support Project, said: "Prostitution is exploitation of women.

"It doesn't matter if a man buys sex on the street or the internet."