Abstract
It is estimated that approximately 80 000 women in the UK work as prostitutes (Home Office, 2004). However, this figure must be treated with caution, as it must be a gross underestimation of the real figure and neglects to include children and men who also work as prostitutes. It appears that the Home Office (2004) also make a gross underestimation of the numbers of men, 8.5%, who are reported as having paid for sex in the last 5 years; these men are not a clearly defined group and some men will not disclose participating in commercial sex.