Lindsay, Jane, Watson, Susan and Nilsson, David (2018) Assisting female sex-workers to exit prostitution. Report of an evaluation of a successful community based initiative. In: World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development (SWSD) 2018; 04 -07 Jul 2018, Dublin, Ireland. (Unpublished)

Abstract

A number of recent UK studies and reports have identified a plethora of barriers female sex-workers face should they wish to exit prostitution (including problematic substance abuse, violence, abuse and coercion, mental health problems, housing and financial issues and criminalisation). Exiting sex-work is increasingly seen as an iterative, phased, staged and often lengthy process. This presentation will report on a participative evaluation of a successful community-based initiative in South London which aims to enable sex-working women (both street-based and women working from their phones and flats) overcome these barriers and support them to exit prostitution, should they wish, as well as providing support and advice on harm minimisation and how to work safely and within the law. The evaluation approach included journey mapping with service users, interviews with staff and volunteers, a survey of other local service providers and analysis of data. Findings identified the strength of deploying multi-faceted, broad and inclusive approaches and staged activities and interventions and the necessity of building trust with service users through consistent, principled and value-led action. Case-work undertaken with women needed to be highly flexible, catering to the breadth of individual need and their different stages of readiness to effect change. Relationship building and enhancing social connectedness appeared to be critical factors in success of the project, from the perspectives of service users, volunteers and project staff. We contend that the approach taken by this community-based organisation would be replicable globally.

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