Wiltshire Police shed light on Swindon's sex work landscape, highlighting the crucial distinction between organized crime and independent sex workers. While the Adult Sexual Exploitation team applauds Airbnb's efforts to combat trafficking and illegal brothels, it's important to remember that sex work itself is not inherently criminal in England.
Independent sex workers, operating "off-street" and alone, are not breaking the law. The team works diligently to support these individuals while battling the horrors of exploitation by organized crime groups (OCGs).
The issue lies with OCGs who use platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com to create "pop-up brothels." They deceive women, often through trafficking, and force them into sex work. This is where Airbnb's existing safety measures become crucial. Their technology and partnership with Unseen, an anti-slavery charity, are vital tools to identify and remove such activity.
Independent sex workers deserve safe and secure workspaces. Barring them from Airbnb punishes the innocent and pushes them further underground, jeopardizing their safety.
The key takeaway is collaboration. Airbnb and Booking.com, along with law enforcement and support services, can work together to target the real criminals - the OCGs. By combining sophisticated detection tools with training for hosts and cooperation with authorities, these platforms can become a force for good, ensuring safety for both legal sex workers and the public.