Jeremy Corbyn has said he is in favour of decriminalising prostitution. The Labour leader made his position clear during a session with students at Goldsmiths University as he went on the campaign trail for May?s election.
Corbyn is thought to have had a longstanding view in favour of decriminalising sex work but this appears to be the first time he has confirmed his position in public since becoming Labour leader.
Asked for his opinion on whether sex work should be decriminalised, he said: ?I am in favour of decriminalising the sex industry. I don?t want people to be criminalised. I want to be [in] a society where we don?t automatically criminalise people. Let?s do things a bit differently and in a bit more civilised way.?
A spokesman for Corbyn would not elaborate on his views. But it is understood they are personal opinions rather than party policy.
The subject of the law around prostitution is controversial, with divisions within political parties, charities and the women?s movement about whether tougher or more relaxed legislation is the best way of protecting sex workers.
Corbyn?s position appears to chime with that of Amnesty International, which last year provoked a mixed reaction when it called for ?full decriminalisation of all aspects of consensual sex work?.
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Jeremy Corbyn: 'I favour decriminalising the sex industry' | Society | The Guardian