We speak to 19-year-old Ani (not her real name), an Asian prostitute, who tells how she has been forced to sell herself to men. An article by Saimina Virmani.

There are two ways in which you might want to look at this article. There are those who will regard the title in repugnance and dismiss its material as unreasonable; the second group of readers will identify the importance of such illicit matters being discussed, recognising that prostitution is an area of concern within our community.

It is my understanding that ignorance represents a lack of knowledge. In all honesty, I admit to being a member of the ignorant group of people. In search of some understanding, I decided to look into this world of secret on-goings and nameless individuals to identify for myself some reasoning for prostitution.

The prostitution trade can be traced back to the early civilisations. For instance prostitutes (known as hetairae') were an established and honoured part of ancient Greek society, with the existence of schools for potential hetairae. Even within our own sub-continent culture, it was not unusual for Rajas to reign with veiled mistresses and several courtesans; nor was it uncommon for these prostitutes to give birth to Princes and future Rajas.

It is beyond any doubt this is not a new trade; however what is new is the manner in which this trade is now increasingly operating.

Fuelled with a stereotypical image in mind of a prostitute I met 19-year-old Ani who has had more than 60 'encounters'.

She it seems was smuggled into the UK for the sole purpose of being 'pimped' by a family member. Although only 19 , I was shocked at how her face was drained with fatigue and washed in grief.

She said, "This life was never my choice as I was and still am forced. I hardly ever see the money I make which comes to about £10 per encounter - my pimp tends to take the benefits."

"I don't have any parents and my only family is my uncle, who brought me to the UK and sold me to a madam in a brothel. The brothel specifically provides for Asian male clients."

Whilst she talked, my stomach turned and hatred filled my heart- not for Ani, but for her uncle, for the madam and for the Asian men who indecently use her.

In the UK there are several mediums through which prostitutes operate. The most notorious are the type regularly seen in and inhabiting the red light districts. However, some are also managed by a male pimp. The pimp promises to offer the girl protection in return for a vast share of the money made. In reality however, pimps often resort to violence and take all the money.

Some prostitutes are governed by a madam. There was one case where a girl was sold at the age of 12 to a brothel by her stepfather after the death of the girl's mother. £5'000 was paid for the young girl to be bought and exploited by those who use this trade. The selling of young girls in this manner is not exceptional and Ani informed me that she knew of several young girls who had been retailed in this manner after arriving in the UK from abroad.

Ani added, "I know of some young girls who have been sold in this manner after arriving in the UK from abroad.

"Other women work in massage parlours or as escorts offering additional services."

The most important factor to observe is that in the UK (as in other countries e.g. India), prostitution is not illegal.

What is illegal is the soliciting of such behaviour. So then what aspects of prostitution are illegal?

Prostitution is a trade that is taxed - all prostitutes are questionable by the tax man. What you then have is the Government on the one hand indirectly making the trade on the black/white border of the law, yet on the other hand the Government are prepared to take their money - foolish?. So then what aspects of prostitution are illegal? Ani is a clear example to me of how inadequate the law is in protecting girls in her position.

The possibility to prosecute 'madams' does exist under section 22 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 for living off immoral earnings and operating a brothel. 'Pimps' have also been targeted by the Act, allowing them to be fined and prosecuted. 'Punters' (i.e. the men who use prostitutes) can also be found guilty of kerb crawling under section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 1985.

However, although the possibility does exist, it is not exercised sufficiently, as a result of the intensity of evidence required. Although 'Ani' considers herself a 'victim' the law may not.

Even when prostitutes are caught they are usually cautioned the first time around, with any subsequent arrests leading to fines (probably a days work for the prostitute) or in the worst case imprisonment. 'Carley' another prostitute, told me that she had several fines outstanding and if she does not pay them she will, if caught by the police probably be put in prison.

If the law is attempting to stop prostitutes returning to the streets to trade by fining them, how then does the law expect them to pay the fines (within 14 days) without them going back on the streets to earn their living?

The single question purged on the lips of many of you may be 'Why would any person choose to solicit themselves in this manner?' Poverty, unemployment, dependence on drugs/alcohol, lack of qualifications/skills as well as this being 'easy money' and the only way known to them, are possible compelling reasons.

Sex trafficking is an important concept recognised not just by the UK Government but also aboard. For instance, in Italy a report published in January 2003 identified that approximately 70'000 prostitutes sell themselves on Italy's streets, the majority of them arriving from Eastern Europe or Africa and 40% of them being underage.

By writing this article, no offence was intended, nor was a justification for this trade anticipated- simply understanding and the recognition that this is an important issue that needs urgent redress and the only way effective remedies can be implemented is by this trade being dragged out into the spotlight.