{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/sexual-offences-act-2003/section-51",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/sexual-offences-act-2003/section-51.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/2003/42",
  "legislation_title": "Sexual Offences Act 2003",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/sexual-offences-act-2003",
  "path": "section/51",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "51",
  "heading": "Sections 48 to 50: interpretation",
  "text": "(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\n(2) For the purposes of sections 48 to 50, a person (B) is sexually exploited if—\n(a) on at least one occasion and whether or not compelled to do so, B offers or provides sexual services to another person in return for payment or a promise of payment to B or a third person, or\n(b) an indecent image of B is recorded or streamed or otherwise transmitted ;\nand “sexual exploitation” is to be interpreted accordingly.\n(3) In subsection (2), “payment” means any financial advantage, including the discharge of an obligation to pay or the provision of goods or services (including sexual services) gratuitously or at a discount.",
  "extent": "E+W",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "S. 51(1) omitted (3.5.2015) by virtue of Serious Crime Act 2015 (c. 9), ss. 68(6)(a), 88(1); S.I. 2015/820, reg. 2(l)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Ss. 47-51 repealed (N.I.) (2.2.2009) by The Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1769 (N.I. 2)), arts. 1, 78(c), Sch. 3 (with Sch. 2 para. 1); S.R. 2008/510, art. 2"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "S. 51(2) substituted (3.5.2015) by Serious Crime Act 2015 (c. 9), ss. 68(6)(b), 88(1); S.I. 2015/820, reg. 2(l)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F4",
      "text": "Words in s. 51(2)(b) inserted (E.W.) (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 31.3.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 176, 183(5)(e), (6)(e)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/42/section/51",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T09:17:48.870823+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}