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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsSocial IssuesLegislationProstitutionHuman traffickingDecriminalisationSex Workers•••Started 4mos agoActive 1mo ago

Should the buying and selling of sex be fully decriminalised?

The legal status of prostitution in the UK is complex; while buying and selling sex is not illegal, associated activities like soliciting, kerb-crawling, and running a brothel are criminal offences. Proponents of full decriminalisation argue that current laws force sex workers underground, making them vulnerable to violence and preventing them from seeking police protection or employment rights. Opponents, including some feminist groups, advocate for the 'Nordic Model,' which criminalises the purchase of sex to reduce demand while decriminalising the sale to protect the exploited, arguing that prostitution is inherently harmful and linked to human trafficking.

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 1.2k UK voters.

49%
Yes
51%
No
30%
Yes
38%
No
11%
Yes, decriminalisation improves worker safety and allows for regulation.
7%
No, prostitution is inherently exploitative and fuels human trafficking.
8%
Yes, consenting adults should be free to do what they want with their bodies.
4%
No, we should criminalise the buyer but not the seller.
2%
No, it is morally wrong and degrades society.

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 1.2k UK voters.

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Historical Importance

Trend of how important this issue is for 1.2k UK voters.

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from UK voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @BDMZ47Sanswered…1mo1MO

Yes but only to protect the person selling it for harm reduction

 @9WTN5BT  from Maine  answered…1mo1MO

No, those who sell sellers should be prosecuted.

 @BD9P4Z3answered…2mos2MO

No, we should criminalise the buyer but put protections in place to protect the seller, attempting to offer them education or means to find a better job.

 @BD69NMDanswered…2mos2MO

Yes, but only with strict guidelines that protect everyone involved.

 @BD5NLBVanswered…2mos2MO

Yes, but introduce registration and licensing for workers and buyers with criminal charges if not followed

 @BD5DZ4W answered…2mos2MO

Yes but only if the health and wellbeing is checked of the prostitutes like the Dutch model where it is recognised as a proper job.

 @BD39LT4answered…2mos2MO

No, it is morally wrong and degrades society, and prostitution is inherently exploitative and fuels human trafficking.

 @BD37SV9answered…2mos2MO

It would depend on the context. If it is for fraudal methods, there needs sanctioning. If it is due to force, the perpetrator (e.g. the partner or the family member like parents) need to be sanctioned too. If it is due to the trauma they had went through without control, then it can be decriminalized.

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Active 2mos ago

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...…6yrs6Y

Should critical race theory be taught in K-12 education?

No

▲  19.8k6 replies4 agree1 disagree

About This Data

Based on 1.2k responses to this question.

These results come from iSideWith's ongoing political issues survey. We collect over a million responses per day, filter out duplicate and multiple submissions, and break the results down by political party, ideology, age, state, and census demographics (income, race, education, household).

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Cite This Poll

iSideWith. (2026). “Should the buying and selling of sex be fully decriminalised?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 21, 2026, from https://uk.isidewith.com/poll/5548756933

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