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| Brothel industry is 'spreading' | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| London's brothel industry has spread to "every corner" of the city, according to a charity's report. | |
| Brothels in the city offer sex for as little as £15, and some are charging £10 extra for unprotected intercourse, the Poppy Project in Southwark found. | |
| Its report said 85% of brothels in the city operated in residential areas and researchers posing as sex buyers found brothels in all 33 London boroughs. | |
| Westminster had the highest number with 71, compared to eight in Southwark. | |
| The study was compiled by the Poppy Project, which provides education about prostitution and helps victims of sex trafficking. | |
| Researchers posing as potential punters telephoned 921 brothels that had advertised in local newspapers. | Researchers posing as potential punters telephoned 921 brothels that had advertised in local newspapers. |
| They found on average 28 brothels in each borough. | |
| Together the brothels generated between £50m to £130m a year, the researchers estimated. | |
| Underage girls | Underage girls |
| Campaigners insisted this was just "the tip of the iceberg" as the only source of information was newspaper adverts, as opposed to websites or phone box cards. | Campaigners insisted this was just "the tip of the iceberg" as the only source of information was newspaper adverts, as opposed to websites or phone box cards. |
| Many operated through legitimate businesses - licensed as saunas or massage parlours - though the vast majority were in private flats in residential areas. | Many operated through legitimate businesses - licensed as saunas or massage parlours - though the vast majority were in private flats in residential areas. |
| The report found 77 different ethnicities among women being offered for sex, many from areas such as eastern Europe and south-east Asia. | The report found 77 different ethnicities among women being offered for sex, many from areas such as eastern Europe and south-east Asia. |
| The average age of the women was 21. Several places offered "very, very young girls" but did not admit to having underage girls available. | The average age of the women was 21. Several places offered "very, very young girls" but did not admit to having underage girls available. |
| For most women involved in prostitution, the reality is a cycle of violence and coercion, perpetuated by poverty and inequality Report co-author Helen Atkins | For most women involved in prostitution, the reality is a cycle of violence and coercion, perpetuated by poverty and inequality Report co-author Helen Atkins |
| According to the researchers, the average price for full sex was about £62. | According to the researchers, the average price for full sex was about £62. |
| Co-author Helen Atkins said: "This research shows the disturbing prevalence of the sex industry in every corner of London - fuelled by the demand for prostitution services. | Co-author Helen Atkins said: "This research shows the disturbing prevalence of the sex industry in every corner of London - fuelled by the demand for prostitution services. |
| "Multi-media misrepresentations of commercial sex as a glamorous, easy and fun career choice for girls and women further contribute to the ubiquity of London's brothel industry. | "Multi-media misrepresentations of commercial sex as a glamorous, easy and fun career choice for girls and women further contribute to the ubiquity of London's brothel industry. |
| "However, for most women involved in prostitution, the reality is a cycle of violence and coercion, perpetuated by poverty and inequality." | "However, for most women involved in prostitution, the reality is a cycle of violence and coercion, perpetuated by poverty and inequality." |