Advertising for Prostitutes

Advertising for Prostitutes is an offence under Section 18A of the Summary Offences Act 1988 which carries a maximum penalty of 3 months in prison.

To establish the offence, the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that you published, or caused to be published, and advertisement for a prostitute.

An ‘advertisement for a prostitute’ is one that indicates, or can be reasonably taken to indicate:

1. Employment as a prostitute is or may be available
2. A person is required for employment as a prostitute, or to act as a prostitute, or
3. A person is required for employment that involves, or may involve, acting as a prostitute

You are not guilty if you are able to satisfy the court, ‘on the balance of probabilities’, that you had lawful authority to engage in the conduct.

Duress is also a defence to the charge.