Sexually exploited women and girls often have criminal records for offences they committed in the context of prostitution (including soliciting and public order offences). These can date back decades. Even when the convictions are spent, they are retained by the police for 100 years causing women further distress and humiliation. Such disclosure can be a barrier to accessing education, employment and volunteering opportunities; the very things those women need to move on with their lives.

We successfully challenged disclosure rules for three women (link) forced into prostitution as teenagers. But those records are still held for 100 years - a position we are challenging. We have been contacted by 20 women in a similar situation. We will use donations to take accounts and investigate how to more widely challenge the criminalisation of victims of sexual exploitation. This will also create a unique evidence base to lobby the Government and assist others.