Will Zero Tolerance on Street Prostitution Really Work? Dr Teela Sanders School of Sociology & Social Policy University of Leeds & Chair, Genesis outreach project t.l.m.sanders@leeds.ac.uk

What the Strategy proposes for street prostitution Challenge that SP is inevitable Overall reduction Reduce commercial exploitation Increase ‘routes out’ Tackling demand - deterring clients Remove opportunity for SP to take place Treat crimes seriously when victim is sex worker

Impact of the Strategy on: Sex Workers: - criminal justice system - violence and safety - health - engagement in services Men who buy sex: - individuals - overall demand - market

Impact on sex workers: criminal justice system ‘Anti social behaviour’ & ‘offending behaviour’ Police presence / crackdowns / case conferences Enforcement against soliciting ASBOs + Intervention Order Compulsory rehabilitation Engage with what? Under resourced/ CJIP led /without outreach specialists

Impact on sex workers: violence & safety Police presence = more risks Strangers / change in working practices Isolation / displacement / other crimes Disengage from outreach services ‘less likely to arrest’ agreements = less risks & nuisance Ignored sensible Cologne & Utrecht models where no murders in zones In UK, 90+ murders in last 15 years.

Health & Street Sex Work Facts (Ward & Day, 2004): SW have a reduced prevalence of STI’s compared to general population HIV infection rate 0-3.5% High condom rate Paying the Price: Ignored health research Promoted that sex workers practices unsafe sex Men who buy sex spread disease

Impact on sex workers: health Police presence & fear of CJS pressures women to have unsafe sex Gives clients more power to insist on unsafe practices Disengage with services Outstanding provisions from Outreach Vans / Projects - primary care Strategy has no understanding of risk / patient access / role & success of outreach / negative health outcomes

Enforcement of ‘kerbcrawling’ laws Swedish model of criminalising men Research evidence on nature of clients mainly complying is ignored Accepts interventions such as ‘kerbcrawler rehabilitation’ programmes which have been criticised and failed Contradictory as NOT illegal to buy sex

Impact on Individual Men No evaluation of arrest policy Where do the men go? What is the impact of crackdowns? Naming & Shaming - these men have families Demonise clients as evil monsters Constructed as abusers

Impact on Market / Demand Crime intervention that removes individuals doesn’t work Displacement - other towns/markets Displacement - acquisitive crimes Drives markets out of sight Fewer clients = more aggressive market = more chance of nuisance

Confusion All Round Where does the law stand post-Strategy? Prostitution not outlawed What situations / conditions is it legal? Will men who visit indoor markets be at risk? Sex workers, clients and outreach projects confused….no doubt police too! No suggestions that confusion will be put right

Will the Strategy tackle real exploitation & vulnerability? Safe houses / Specialist housing Fast track drug treatment Holistic long term support Safe environment to sell sex free from danger Support outside the criminal justice system Increased funding specifically for outreach projects - should not rely on charity funding

What the Strategy offers…... Emphasis on ‘routes out’ Guidance on models of support & exit routes No timetable for proposed changes No Ministers responsible for taking changes forward NO MONEY

No resources: a blessing in disguise? No additional resources for projects or policing Non commitment = no change = no management solution Back to where we started with no ‘common prostitute’ in law!