The Archbishop of York has hit out at the glamorisation of prostitution as a “middle class trade” through its fictional portrayal on television.
Dr John Sentamu blamed books and television dramas such as ITV’s Secret Diary of a Call Girl, which follows the life of its main character, Belle de Jour, a high-end prostitute.
He criticised the drama for giving the public a misleading perception of prostitution.
Archbishop Sentamu said the lifestyle acted out in the drama was far from the reality of the suffering endured by the majority of women involved in prostitution.
“There is a myth that has been perpetuated in recent years, especially by sections within the liberal media, that many people who prostitute themselves do so not because they are oppressed or desperate for money, but because they see it as an easy way to make money through a relatively ‘safe’ and lucrative career”, Dr Sentamu wrote in The Sunday Times.
The Archbishop continued: “We are meant to believe that these sex workers are independent women, empowered by the hold they have over men, who sell their bodies for money but who treat it like any other job.
“They can walk away at any time, remain emotionally detached and, in short, nobody is hurt by this simple business transaction.”
He wrote: “This attitude can be evidenced by the popularity of books and television shows such as Secret Diary of a Call Girl, where the heroine, Belle de Jour, a high-end call girl, has two distinct lives.
“‘A witty, well-educated girl who enjoys having a lot of sex and likes being paid a lot of money for it. It is her choice and she is very much in control,’ was how the actress playing the role of Belle described her. But we forget, this is fiction.”
In reality more than half of UK prostitutes have been raped or suffered indecent assault and three quarters have experienced physical violence.
Over half the prostitutes involved in one study said that they had feared for their lives at least once.
An international study found that 68 per cent of prostitutes met the criteria for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, with symptoms as severe as victims of torture. Nine in ten prostitutes wanted to escape prostitution but felt unable to do so.
Archbishop Sentamu said: “We have a moral responsibility to take a stand on their behalf and show them the respect and empathy they deserve”.
He expressed concern that to dilute the proposals in the Policing and Crime Bill, which is currently being considered in the House of Lords, will not have the necessary impact to combat the problem of prostitution.
Dr Sentamu tabled a question in Parliament last week asking the Government about the measures it is taking to tackle prostitution.
He commented: “The Policing and Crime Bill is making its way through the House of Lords and it is important that everyone, regardless of political allegiance or background, unites to ensure the bill is passed so we can send a strong message that funding sex slavery, and the systematic abuse of women, is not acceptable in this country. That is why I feel the time is right to speak out.
“What seems to have been absent from the proceedings to date is an acknowledgment about how damaging prostitution can be. There has been much discussion of ‘civil liberties’, but little mention of how destructive sex for cash can be.”
In an interview on BBC Radio 4, the Archbishop described the trade as “morally reprehensible”.
The House of Lords first debated new prostitution laws aimed at tackling sex trafficking before the summer recess.
The Government wants to criminalise men who pay for sex with women being exploited by someone else, whether they know about her situation or not.
A 2008 estimate suggested that up to 18,000 females, including girls as young as 14, have been trafficked into UK brothels to meet the rising demand for prostitutes.