Christian Action Research and Education's (CARE) comments coincide with the UN's '16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence', which starts on 25th November - the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women - and carries on until 10th December - Human Rights Day.
They say what would change the lives of women and girls dramatically would be making the purchase of sex a criminal offence.
CARE argues that this would reduce demand and help address the fact that although some choose it, many do not.
They say: "Introducing laws to criminalise the buyer of sex targets the inequality, harm and exploitation that is at the heart of prostitution. It also holds those who drive it – the buyers – responsible for their actions."
Northern Ireland were the first place in the UK to criminalise the purchase of sex in its Human Trafficking and Exploitation Act and the Republic of Ireland introduced a similar law.
Many women who want to leave find it difficult because they may have a criminal record, finding employment difficult as well as many not being English speakers nor having secure accommodation.
CARE's Senior Policy Officer on Human Trafficking, Louise Gleich said: "All the evidence we have suggests prostitution is one of the most dangerous experiences in the world and we know that the vast majority of people providing sexual services are women and the majority of buyers are men.
"Many have not made a genuine and meaningful choice to enter prostitution but are drawn into it because they can see no other option.
"We think one of the most effective ways of tackling violence against women in prostitution is to shift the burden of blame by criminalising the purchase of sex."
Gleich added that this was not a fix-all solution: "We also need to ensure those who leave prostitution receive help, support and adequate assistance so they are given the best possible chance to rebuild their lives.
"For too long women in prostitution have been neglected and ignored by our policy makers. It is time for politicians at Westminster and Holyrood to take action by changing our outdated prostitution laws and making them fit for purpose.
"As we reflect on UN's 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, we cannot stay silent about the suffering of so many vulnerable women."
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