Guest blog from Beyond the Streets: collaborating to support women on their journey to exit
It is hard to know how many people are sexually exploited in the UK, as sexual exploitation is a difficult area to research with accuracy. What we do know is that the legal and illegal sex industry is an ever-expanding arena for sexual exploitation. Street prostitution, off-street prostitution, sex tourism, international/ domestic trafficking and pornography affect every town and city across the UK. There is consensus that people in prostitution should not be criminalised i.e. fined, arrested or imprisoned, but there is strong disagreement about whether the purchase of sex should be criminalised, entirely decriminalised or regulated. The UK public’s understanding of prostitution is often disrespectful and judgemental, with many people not looking beyond the label of “prostitutes” and “sex workers”. Prostitution is commonly viewed as a choice that women have made, but many of these ‘choices’ were probably decided upon when they were under 18. A Home Office report entitled, ‘Paying the Price’ (2004), states that nine out of ten people would like to exit prostitution but feel unable to do so. Although this is an old statistic, the majority of women who work in the sex industry do so in order to survive. This is not right. Beyond the Streets has been working on behalf of women exploited through prostitution since 1999. Our vision is ‘to see a world where people are free from exploitation, and where those involved in prostitution have the option to pursue genuine alternatives, free from constraints such as drug use, abusive relationships and poverty’.
The women that Beyond the Streets work alongside are inspiring and resilient, given that their circumstances are often complex and traumatic. Women who are sexually exploited can face multiple disadvantages in their lives, and so in working with them we receive and make referrals to all sorts of organisations – housing, drug and alcohol, domestic abuse, social workers – all over the country. What works best is when we find agencies that are good at collaboration and are committed to it. Orchards are wonderful in this respect! Though they haven’t long been established they have been incredible to work with. The fundamental approach that is needed is one of being women-focused. Both Beyond the Streets and Orchards are rooting for women, to make positive change in their lives, which makes for an effective partnership.
To work together collaboratively, communication is essential. Orchards have been honest about what they can and can’t do, and can be trusted to clearly follow up with any issues or updates that are needed. Women that we have referred have been those with multiple barriers and complicated situations, in different spheres such as mental health, housing, and issues around substance use. After initial contact on the phone, to see if the situation may be the right one, Orchards connect with women early in the process and are committed to keeping in touch. They are more detailed than other organisations in their approach because they recognise just how important it is for a woman to feel safe in the process and to be heard. They are keen to get the details right – to ascertain what her needs are, and what she can and can’t cope with. It’s this level of sensitivity and empathy that is crucial to working alongside women on their journey out of sexual exploitation.
When there have been complications about ‘getting there’ in the moving process – as can be the case with women whose day-to-day experience is unpredictable and often unsafe - Orchards have been flexible and understanding. Communications by email and phone call have been easy, as has agreeing together who will take what roles in relation to women and the transition of those roles as she moves into their transitional housing has been smooth. All the while there is a huge sensitivity to confidentiality and security. Often women are fleeing a perpetrator of abuse, coercion or violence, so it’s important that the details are kept with care and tact. To gain women’s trust is vital, as often their experience is that they have been let down by so many people who have taken advantage of them in the past. We work collaboratively to begin a process of rebuilding trust for women – both Orchards and Beyond the Streets are firmly on her side.
The work that Orchards do is vital because there is a huge need for transitional housing, which is very different from a refuge situation. The focus is on developing independent living and a supportive environment, whilst attending to the needs of women with a trauma-informed approach. Providing counselling, encouragement from local volunteers, and community engagement nurtures and supports women, whilst there is also the consideration of practical needs such as employment and training. Whilst the usual timeframe in the housing is 6-9 months, there is flexibility – as each woman is seen as an individual. Orchards provide a high level of support whilst encouraging independence. They empower women to recover a sense of agency and control over their own lives.
Working in this collaborative way is central to supporting women fully. As organisations we are mirroring what we want to see in women’s experience: by communicating together well we allow a safe space for women to communicate with us. We value the building of trust and care, the development of empathy and the recognition of resilience as we walk alongside these remarkable women. Together we can support women to take steps to build a new life for themselves, away from sexual exploitation.
