UK's anti-slavery commissioner to investigate 'pimping' websites

The independent anti-slavery commissioner has launched an investigation into so-called pimping websites amid concern at the level of exploitation of trafficked and vulnerable women on such platforms.

- Amelia Gentleman

Eleanor Lyons will interview women who say they have been trafficked into sex work and advertised on adult services websites such as Vivastreet that allow users to browse images and videos of women selling sex in their local area.

The investigation follows on from a 2021 Scottish parliamentary study on commercial and sexual exploitation, which found that the ease and speed with which pimps and traffickers can now advertise their victims to potential customers had "turbocharged the sex-trafficking trade".

"Adult service websites, where you can go online, type in your postcode and find hundreds of women for sale, are a hotbed for trafficking," Lyons said. "We will do a full call for evidence on why these websites are so damaging. At a bare minimum, they should be far more heavily regulated."

Sites have a duty to report evidence of trafficking and exploitation to the police, but campaign groups have warned that police often fail to spot victims of exploitation.