Our work includes:

• Making contact with women working in street prostitution in the areas where they work. Offering refreshments & support, which is non judgmental and confidential
• Distributing free provision of condoms, lubricants, personal alarms and ‘clean works’ to maximise the health and safety of the women
• Providing advice, information/support on a broad range of health and personal safety related issues inc signposting/referral of women to other agencies where appropriate i.e. drug services, housing
• Self swabbing (Chlamydia & gonorrhea screening) pregnancy testing and support
• Assault report scheme including providing women with information & descriptions about dangerous ‘dodgy punters’ (provided by the police & users of our service), as well as reporting assaults on the women’s behalf
• Follow up support re issues raised on outreach i.e. support to attend court
• Referral to the REST project (Recovery & exit support team)
• Representing SWWOP on various multi-agency bodies e.g. Safer Children’s Board to ensure the needs and views of women are taken into account in the discussion and decision making of other agencies.

Women working in street prostitution experience serious risks to their health through violence, drugs & unsafe sexual practices. This often leads to longer term effects on their welfare through the difficulties they can find in accessing broader opportunities such as education, training and secure employment.

There is also a conflict between the women's lifestyle and the way agencies operate, from appointment systems to opening hours, stereotyping, prejudice and different values, also many of the women do not want to be identified as being involved in the sex industry. By providing street based outreach and drop-in sessions and working alongside this vulnerable group, it is hoped to directly improve their health and that of the wider population via 'the punter' and to break down barriers to the women accessing services.

In addition to providing direct services to clients, SWWOP has a key role as an advocate for this group. At a national level, SWWOP contributes to policy development and at a local level we play an important role in facilitating sensitive negotiations between communities and agencies about the local effects of street prostituion, providing a line of communication to and from the women themselves. This communication helps local agencies and residents understand more about the women's lives and needs & this is where the training packages and media coverage are important. SWWOP also works with other agencies to ensure effective co-ordination of services to individual women and liaise closely with the police to improve the safety of the women.

Case Studies

Jade started selling sex at the age of 13 ½ years & had begun using cannabis at the age of 11, moved onto heroin at 12 years of age and all this while she was living with her mum. She is now 21 years old with a baby son and has been clean from ‘crack' since the birth of her baby. Jade has been involved in street prostitution for the past eight years and says she only stopped working when she was put in secure accommodation under a section 25 order (putting self at risk). Out of 4 years Jade spent a 3 month, 6 month and a 9 month stay in secure accommodation and the first time was at the age of 14 years. When asked about exiting street prostitution Jade says she only ever stopped while she was in the unit and shortly after her previous baby. But today her new baby is the reason she has stopped her involvement and using ‘crack' and Jade is determined that that is it.

Social services were twin tracking the baby (going down the adoption route), while Jade was ‘getting her act together' in order to become a proper mum to her son.

I asked Jade the following questions:

1. What does exiting involve?

Staying away from people, the beat & crack, no money, punters phoning, dealers ringing, bored cos nothing to do, can't sleep at night.

2. You say you have been working since you were 13, you're now 21, did you ever consider stopping before?

Yes when I first got pregnant, I was 15. Before that I was too young to understand all the risks involved, I was too immature, didn't access support and my first child finished up being adopted.

3. Why do you feel differently about things this time around?

Cos im older, more mature just had enough of this shit that's dragged me down for last eight years.

4. Is the intensive support you are receiving helping you. If so how?

Yep I eat sleep & roam, going to mother & baby unit. Interim accommodation disaster, started having nightmares about punters & crack smoking.

5. Why do you think your managing to exit so successfully?

Been working too long, to young before even though pregnant not mature enough. This time it's worth it, got baby & chance to keep him. You need to want to exit, when your high as a kite you're not bothered, scare stories don't work, police arresting you don't work.

6. What would you say to others who are thinking of working now?

Forget it. get out now.

7. What would you like to say to any workers hearing your story?

Thank-you.

8. What are your views about the punters

Disgusting desperate men, think they're paying for control, they should get arrested not us. I wouldn't be saying this 5 months ago. Never worked without drugs, too scared, scared of not coming back, scared of being killed & not knowing when, only ever worked when iv used first, other people out there, just stupid people throwing eggs at us. I couldn't have got here without support. Other people out there just look at the outside of you not inside, should be more projects like SWWOP.

December 2010 through to January 2011

Jade has now been in a young people’s hostel for three months.

S: What was it like living there?

J: In the beginning I enjoyed it, it was really nice living with other young people , not what I have been used to.

S: I understand you have had a lapse?

J: Yes & I’m really sorry about that.

S: What happened?

J: Well we went to court & they said I couldn’t have any contact whatsoever with baby father, I wasn’t allowed to even text him. I got really annoyed cos he is babys dad. So next night I went to my mum’s with a friend, mum opened door smoking ‘crack’ with a ‘punter’.

(Jade told me that she had explained to her mum that she had quit crack, was trying to get the baby back etc)

J: Within 5 mins mum offered me some crack, I refused so mum said “do you want a line of coke instead” & I said yes.

S: Why did you say no to ‘crack’?

J: Cos that’s what I was coming off, running from!

S: So why did you say yes to a line of coke?

J: Cos I wanted to stay & spend time with her. She never been there for me, I was angry bout not being able to text baby dad, I wanted to stay be close to mum, also if I didn’t have any coke she would have sent me home. I stayed bout an hour, she sorted out some clothes for me, gave me some trainers. I felt really guilty bout taking coke, didn’t want to go back to hostel as they would know I had something. I just went to bed, watched mum smoking ‘crack’, I wasn’t even tempted to smoke crack, felt too guilty already. Got up in morning went straight to hostel, went to bed & cried felt really guilty.

Jade got back to the hostel & was evicted for a number of reasons. She went to stay with an appropriate adult & we arranged for her to have a drug test. Her main worries were that she would lose all contact with her baby & that Social services would put him up for adoption. Plus it had already been arranged that she could see her baby over Christmas.

The social workers got in touch very quickly & discussed Jade’s first lapse- Jade was truthful & explained what happened. She was still allowed to have the baby for two hours on Christmas Eve, plus her usual daily contact with him of three hours. Jade was also allowed to take the baby out with her contact worker; she stayed with the appropriate adult until the middle of January. Now she is in self contained accommodation & on the housing list waiting for a referral to supported housing where she can live with her baby.

S: How is the self contained place working out?

J: It’s ok, I’ve got a telly I feel very positive but it’s very lonely- I’m on my own all the time because I haven’t been able to make normal friends. I’ve had to change my phone number cos of punters ringing me.

Jade is coping really well, if she hadn’t lapsed it would be worrying, she is now having random drug tests & is maintaining her contact with her son (he is still in foster care). She is in court on a regular basis with social services to update the court on how well she is doing. Every day brings her baby a step closer to being able to stay with his mum.

This case study will be updated regularly as Jade turns her life around. Anyone reading this needs to understand that Jade may relapse, like a lot of women before her, progress is 2 steps forward and often 6 steps back. It is a long slow process (average time 18 months) but if you want something enough, with support you will succeed.