Research and criminality on the sex industry is often generalised to that of the visible street based market. With wider reference to the indoor sex markets and drawing on key conclusions from Jeal and Salisbury (page 875), this commentary explores the current criminal justice framework that is driving sex work policy and the management of prostitution in the UK. The consequences of a punitive approach in relation to a complex and multi-layered sex industry are assessed in relation to the role of health care workers.