I was thirteen when I started working as a prostitute.. not one punter complained or refused due to my age Jo

75% of women involved in prostitution entered when they were children (Women's Resource Centre)

It tears me apart when programmes like Diary of a call girl etc are on TV. It devalues my experience, makes me feel less able to speak about the reality Angel

Up to 70% of women in prostitution spent time in care, 45% report sexual abuse and 85% physical abuse within their families (Home Office,2006)

More than half of UK women in prostitution have been raped and/or seriously sexually assaulted. At least three quarters have been physically assaulted (Home Office,2004)

If I pay £20 then you have to do whatever I want Male punter

65% of UK population believe paying for sexual services is an act which exploits women (ICM,2008)

the real choice in prostitution is up to the punter and whether he decides to be violent or not. But even if he doesn't, he is using and legitimising an industry which other men exploit to be abusive and cause harm Rebecca

Up to 95% of prostituted women are problematic drug users, including around 78% heroin users and rising numbers of crack cocaine addicts (Home Office, 2004)

You pay for the convenience, a bit like going to a public loo Male punter

9 out of 10 surveyed women in prostitution would like to exit prostitution but feel unable to do so (Farley et al, 2003)

I was expected to make up to £400 per day for the men[pimps]. I was not allowed to keep any of it Olena

Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Lithuania, Cambodia and South Korea have outlawed various forms of purchasing sexual acts. Numerous other countries are considering the introduction of simliar legislation