Prostitution in the Crown dependencies#Isle of Man

Prostitution in Guernsey is legal, but related activities such as solicitation{{cite web|title=The Summary Offences (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1982|url=http://www.guernseylegalresources.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=71011&p=0|website=Guernsey Legal Resources|accessdate=19 February 2018}} and brothel keeping are prohibited.{{cite web|title=Ordonnance relative aux Maisons de Prostitution et aux Prostituées - [1906]|url=http://www.guernseylegalresources.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=98780&p=0|website=Guernsey Legal Resources|accessdate=19 February 2018}}

At the end of the 19th century prostitution was common in Guernsey, especially in St Peter Port where around 500 soldiers were garrisoned. A large number of the prostitutes were French. The military authorities were concerned about the high rate of STIs amongst the soldiers.{{cite web|last1=McLellan|first1=Jon|title=The strange case of the maladies secrètes ordinance of 1912|url=https://www.jerseylaw.je/publications/jglr/Pages/JLR1302_McLellan.aspx|website=Jersey Law|accessdate=19 February 2018|date=February 2013}}

The Committee of the Council for the Affairs of Guernsey and Jersey reported in 1897:

"Secret Diseases, not unfrequently [sic] introduced by foreign prostitutes would appear to be prevalent in that Island [ie Guernsey] . . . such diseases sap the foundation of public health and affect injuriously not only those who by their own misconduct have incurred them, but even generations yet unborn . . ."

This report eventually led to the passing of la Loi Rélative aux Maladies Secrètes in 1912. This law provided for compulsory medical examination and detention in hospital if infected, and also the expulsion of foreign prostitutes. This law was repealed by The Venereal Diseases Ordinance (1912) Repeal Ordinance, 1949. However, due to the wording of the 1949 act, the 1912 law is arguably still in force in Alderney.

In 2005 an East European prostitution ring was thought to be operating on the island.{{cite web|title='Vice ring' targeting local pubs and clubs|url=https://guernseypress.com/news/2005/10/08/vice-ring-targeting-local-pubs-and-clubs/|website=Guernsey Press|accessdate=19 February 2018|language=en|date=8 October 2005}}

Prostitution in Jersey is legal,{{cite web|title=Jersey hotels warned of the signs of prostitution|url=http://www.itv.com/news/channel/2015-02-05/jersey-hotels-warned-to-look-out-for-prostitution/|website=ITV News|accessdate=19 February 2018|language=en|date=5 February 2015}} but related activities such as keeping a brothel are outlawed.{{cite web|title=Prostitution laws 'could be updated'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-32789334|website=BBC News|accessdate=19 February 2018|date=19 May 2015}}{{cite web|title=Fall in number of prostitutes advertising in Jersey|url=https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2015/02/06/fall-in-number-of-prostitutes-advertising-in-jersey/|website=Jersey Evening Post|accessdate=19 February 2018|language=en|date=6 February 2015}} Following a consultation period from 1 September 2017 and 13 October 2017, the Home Affairs Minister approved a new draft Sexual Offences (Jersey) Law to be debated in the Assembly of the States of Jersey.{{cite web|title=Sexual Offences Draft Law|url=https://www.gov.je/News/2018/Pages/Sexualoffenceslaw.aspx|website=Information and public services for the Island of Jersey|accessdate=19 February 2018|language=en}} The draft law does not criminalise prostitution, but consolidates previous legislation on related activities.{{cite web|title=Consultation draft - Sexual Offences (Jersey) Act|url=https://www.gov.je/SiteCollectionDocuments/Government%20and%20administration/Consultation%20Draft%20-%20Sexual%20Offences%20(Jersey)%20Law%20201-%20(002)%20V2.pdf|website=Information and public services for the Island of Jersey|accessdate=19 February 2018}}{{update needed |date =April 2022}}

In 2015 it was estimated there were 35–40 prostitutes in Jersey. Most visit the island for short periods and work from hotels.

In the 19th century, prostitution was common. French women came over to the island to service the needs of the soldiers stationed on the island and sailors in the port. The road that led from the barracks to the port, Pier Road, had many brothels and, after dark, women solicited in the road.{{cite web|title=Red Lamps Shining Through the Fog – Gallery Magazine Jersey|url=http://www.gallery.je/red-lamps-shining-through-the-fog|website=Gallery|accessdate=19 February 2018|date=26 January 2010}} In 1846, George Le Cronier, the Centenier of Saint Helier, decided to clean up the island. He visited one of the houses of ill-repute, Mulberry Cottage on Patriotic Street, and arrested 11 prostitutes who worked there. The following week he returned to the house with the intent of arresting the master and mistress of the house. On entering the house he was stabbed in the stomach by the mistress Marie Le Gendre. Le Cronier died the next day and Le Gendre was transported to Australia for life.

At the end of the 19th century, police would accompany gentlemen to brothels and, for a fee, ensure no legal action was taken against them. Prostitutes were using hotels and restaurants to find customers by 1910. In the 1930s, Sand Street was where street prostitutes worked and there was a well known brothel, the "Striped Monkey", on Cross Street.

During the German occupation of the island in 1940, all sexual contact between the German soldiers and the islanders was prohibited. To stop any "illegal" prostitution, the German authorities set up a brothel in the Maison de Victor Hugo hotel. Syphilis was a problem amongst the soldiers and a specialist clinic was set up in the Merton Hotel.

Prostitution in the Isle of Man is legal but related activities such as soliciting, procuring and brothel keeping are prohibited by the Sexual Offences Act 1992.{{cite web|title=Sexual Offences Act 1992|url=http://www.legislation.gov.im/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1992/1992-0006/SexualOffencesAct1992_1.pdf|website=Isle of Man Legislation|accessdate=19 February 2018}}

There are few prostitutes permanently on the Isle of Man, most visiting the island on short term "tours".{{cite web|title=Isle of Man Escorts, IOM Escorts|url=https://www.selectanescort.com/escorts/IsleofManEscorts.html|website=Select An Escort Directory|accessdate=19 February 2018|language=en-UK}} A man and a woman were arrested on suspicion of committing prostitution offences in Douglas in 2013. A police spokesman said this was "an unusual and rare incident."{{cite web|title=Pair arrested over prostitution offences {{!}} Isle of Man News :: isleofman.com|url=http://www.isleofman.com/news/details/57787/pair-arrested-over-prostitution-offences|website=IsleOfMan.com|accessdate=19 February 2018|language=en|date=3 September 2013}}

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Category:Society of dependent territories of the United Kingdom

Crown dependencies