Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 30
30
Deferred
Enforce Online Safety Act against prostitution websites enabling multiple adverts, lacking identity verification.
Conclusion
In order to enforce the provisions in the Online Safety Act requiring websites to take action against trafficking occurring on their sites, Ofcom should take immediate and full enforcement action against any website advertising prostitution that enables the same phone number to be used in multiple adverts, fails to independently verify the age and identify of every individual advertised on their website, allows single individuals and/or single accounts to advertise multiple individuals for prostitution, allows anonymised payments, and allows any individual to place or pay for another person’s prostitution advert. (Paragraph 101) Policing and prosecution
Government Response Summary
The government shares concerns but describes its ongoing work to address forced labour in global supply chains through Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, completely deflecting from the recommendation for Ofcom to take enforcement action against websites advertising prostitution and facilitating sexual exploitation.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
30. The Government shares the Committee’s concern on this issue, and we continue to address forced labour in global supply chains through Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. These provisions have resulted in a change in business culture, bringing discussion of modern slavery to the boardroom for the first time and providing transparency for consumers, investors and civil society.