Old Coroners Court Nursery Street Sheffield, S3 8GG T: M: Registered Charity No: Ltd Company

Lifestyle Choice? Sali Harwood Manager Registered Charity No: Ltd Company

Presentation will cover:  Definition of prostitution  The law around prostitution  Terminology  Overview of the women  Realities of their lives  Overview of the men  SWWOP Registered Charity No: Ltd Company

What is Prostitution? The Sexual Offences Act 2003: Prostitution is commonly defined as: The exchange of sexual services for some form of payment – usually money but could be drugs, accommodation, food etc. on at least one occasion. From 2010 prostitution is addressed as sexual exploitation within the overall CPS Violence Against Women (VAW) strategy because of its gendered nature. Registered Charity No: Ltd Company

The law around Prostitution Loitering or Soliciting for Prostitution Section 16 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 amends section 1(1) of the Street Offences Act 1959 to create an offence for a person (whether male or female) persistently to loiter or solicit in a street or public place for the purposes of offering services as a prostitute, with effect from 1 April Registered Charity No: Ltd Company

The term "common prostitute" has now been removed. Section 1(4) has been amended to insert that for the purposes of section 1, conduct is persistent if it takes place on 2 or more occasions in any period of 3 months. Section 1(5) provides that in deciding whether a person's conduct is persistent, any conduct that took place before the commencement of this section will be disregarded. Registered Charity No: Ltd Company

Language & Terminology The women SWWOP work with often share the same negative attitudes about what they do as others in society! The term ‘sex work’ implies that these women have made a rational choice to sell sex. SWWOP agrees that street ‘prostitution’ is exploitation of women Registered Charity No: Ltd Company

Overview of the women  Majority white women / average age 30yrs  History of sexual abuse / sexual exploitation  Substance misuse / Risk taking behaviours  From around South Yorkshire  Mental health  Domestic abuse  Homelessness  Social exclusion Registered Charity No: Ltd Company

Realities of Women's lives  Forced sex, rape, sexual assault by pimps and others  Physical violence  Physical deprivation  Physical illness and injury  Emotional, physical & sexual health issues  Homelessness  Increase in risk-taking behaviours increases risk of harm  May lack access to appropriate health care  Drug and alcohol abuse  Isolation / ostracisation / social exclusion Registered Charity No: Ltd Company All on top of whatever life experiences led to prostitution in first pl ace

Impact on Physical / Sexual Health  Fatigue  Weight Loss / Loss of Appetite  Poor Memory  Back Pain  Joint / Muscle Pain  Fractures / Sprains  Facial Injuries  Dental Problems  Skin Infections Registered Charity No: Ltd Company

Impact – Mental Health Restless & agitated Insomnia / lethargy Substance dependency Eating disorders Impatience & Irritability Unmotivated Lack of sexual interest Poor concentration o Self-blame / guilt o Negative thoughts o Despairing o Feeling hopeless o Loneliness o Pessimism o Suicidal ideation o Self-harming Registered Charity No: Ltd Company

Challenges to accessing services  Chaotic lifestyles (hierarchy of need) versus inflexible services  Stereotyping by services – bad not vulnerable  Women’s lack of confidence & fear of authorities / partners  Practical barriers – opening hours, bus fares etc. – and plethora of appointments Registered Charity No: Ltd Company

Who are the men?  Pimps  Boyfriends/partners  Drug dealers  Punters  Some punters extremely violent & dangerous  Some very vulnerable & open to exploitation bt the women e.g. through roberry Registered Charity No: Ltd Company

What does SWWOP provide?  OUTREACH  EXIT SUPPORT  CRISIS INTERVENTION  SEXUAL HEALTH Screening  SAUNA’s  HMP NEWHALL  UGLY MUG Infomation Registered Charity No: Ltd Company

What are the women giving up?  Chemical security blanket  Their identity (as they have come to see themselves)  Drug use and sex work = full time occupation  Money  Social network and support on street  Buzz of street life Registered Charity No: Ltd Company

Best Practice  Work with the behaviours resulting from exploitation  Understand and acknowledge why women may respond ‘negatively’  Understand it takes time to exit / recover  Recognise the impacts, Don’t judge  Our clients safety is our first priority  We are here to help you  We will support you how you need to be supported Registered Charity No: Ltd Company

Old Coroners Court Nursery Street Sheffield, S3 8GG T: M: Registered Charity No: Ltd Company