The common view of prostitution being “street corners, pimps and drugs” is a huge misconception. All the women I have met (over 20 to date) have made a positive life choice, finding the activity an easy way to make money, and apparently enjoy what they do. They are all independent, mostly having apartments dedicated to the job, or meet clients in hotels or their homes.

As far as “exploitation” is concerned, many have other jobs, or are studying, and find the extra income useful, but not essential. The lady I see most frequently has paid off her mortgage, and has a property rental agency. Another woman is a psychotherapist. In her case, by some twisted logic, it would appear to be perfectly satisfactory for her to offer psychological counselling on a fee-earning basis, but as soon as she offers a sexual favour she is being “exploited”.

I have no doubt that this silly law will be passed — there is too much of a prevailing attitude of moralising and man-hating for it to be stopped. However, who will be reporting these acts? Not the prostitutes, that is for sure; the women to whom I have mentioned criminalisation are horrified at the prospect. Will our over-stretched police forces really be looking to prosecute men for these consensual acts? Very doubtful, unless pressed by some extreme feminist group.

What I do may be morally reprehensible, but as far as I am concerned, that is between me and my wife. It is certainly not a matter for the law. We have sufficient income for the amount I spend on prostitution not to be an issue financially. What will I do when the law comes in? Probably continue my activities, but only with women I trust, and not with new ones who may be engaged in some type of entrapment.

There is already legal protection in the case of under-age, trafficked or pimped women, and rape is always rape. I suspect that the Act will be about as successful as the ban on fox-hunting, and, except in exceptional circumstances, will rarely be used. Prostitution is not called “the oldest profession” for nothing, and will continue no matter what the moralising do-gooders try to do. The much-vaunted Swedish model has done little to change matters, apart from driving up the prices which prostitutes charge.

Mark Parsons, Southampton