That's shocking Mirror that they asked if you paid tax, as if that was relevant to whether they would go after the culprits or not; no wonder many of these scumbags walk around with impunity. Although it's better nowadays I think. The DBS thing is a worry but I don't wanna take the thread off topic. 

Sorry to come back to this but I think it's important that people know.

I was worried about this DBS thing and so was my friend who's reported a robber in the past who attacked her whilst working (he was caught, publicly named and shamed, and prosecuted). She contacted the police who were in charge of her case and they have assured her - and also contacted the DBS department for clarification -  that no mention of sex work would ever be disclosed on a DBS certificate if a person has reported a crime against them.  It's only the person's convictions that go on the DBS certificate, and no mention of escort work should ever be included.

The officer in charge of my friend's case says (And I've read the email myself) that under no way, shape or form would a victim of any offence have this disclosed as part of DBS checks.

It's good that the DBS comes to you first so you can double check before it goes anywhere else - and if the sex work thing ever did come up on it, then you should be able to get it removed. 

I have mixed feelings. It has been a bit bogged down with negative associations because  people have used it as a byword for having been compromised in some way, like "I don't want to prostitute myself to my company". But as others have said, I see nothing wrong with being a prostitute so really, I should see nothing wrong with the term or need to feel I have to use euphemisms to make other people feel less uncomfortable, because of ignorance/judgement. I guess avoiding the term is just a habit for me.

When I started I used 'working girl' because that was the go to term at the time among the rank and file, which ages me  ; now I switch between escort, companion or sex worker, depending on the context. 

Sorry to come back to this but I think it's important that people know.

I was worried about this DBS thing and so was my friend who's reported a robber in the past who attacked her whilst working (he was caught, publicly named and shamed, and prosecuted). She contacted the police who were in charge of her case and they have assured her - and also contacted the DBS department for clarification -  that no mention of sex work would ever be disclosed on a DBS certificate if a person has reported a crime against them.  It's only the person's convictions that go on the DBS certificate, and no mention of escort work should ever be included.

The officer in charge of my friend's case says (And I've read the email myself) that under no way, shape or form would a victim of any offence have this disclosed as part of DBS checks.

It's good that the DBS comes to you first so you can double check before it goes anywhere else - and if the sex work thing ever did come up on it, then you should be able to get it removed.

When I complained about it.  I was told very clearly it will stay on.  And just because it shouldn't be information included doesn't mean it won't be.  I found in my case it was a human who entered that extra information not a database check for crimes that should automatically show up.

The police say one thing and do another. 

When I complained about it.  I was told very clearly it will stay on.  And just because it shouldn't be information included doesn't mean it won't be.  I found in my case it was a human who entered that extra information not a database check for crimes that should automatically show up.

The police say one thing and do another.

Miss Betty,

It is an outrage that this is included in your DBS check. Not that there is anything wrong with being a prostitute or being called a prostitute (of course), but (exactly as you asked) would they have stated your "known" occupation if you were a plumber? Of course not. The fact of mentioning it in your DBS check - and adding the word "known", similar to e.g. "known criminal", is intended to invite adverse inference, and for that reason is wholly wrong.

I would definitely suggest to try to get it removed. I can recommend a (female) human rights barrister who takes direct access cases, is SW-friendly, and who charges reasonable rates, if that can help you with advice, or action?

I am not a lawyer but my firm belief is that you would be successful to have this removed. The police have recently been forced to delete records of "non-crime hate incidents" following a court order. Clearly, being a prostitute is also a non-crime!

Henry