Hi all 

I worked for a project called Safer Wales, StreetLife for nearly 5 years. They provide support to sex workers at those who are being sexually exploited in Cardiff and surrounding areas.  I currently volunteer with a charity in Bristol who provide similar support and I would like to share my experiences of working with sex workers which I hope will go some way to help raise money for the StreetLife project.

Sex workers are not always considered a worthy or vulnerable group in society for many reasons.  Sex work is a topic which can evoke strong opinions. I know many people have been involved in some heated debates with me after a glass or two of wine! However whatever our opinion is, there will always be an industry for sex work.  StreetLife aims to help keep client's who work safer and have access to support should they wish to exit sex work.

StreetLife provide much needed support to sex workers and they go above and beyond in the support they provide everyday. They offer an evening outreach service to provide food, drinks, condoms, alarms, an opportunity to report assaults and access to daytime support. Daytime support involves a variety of one to one support to help with; housing, financial, physical health, sexual health and mental health problems.  

I witnessed some clients make significant changes in their lives and exit sex work through the support of StreeLife.  Some never did, and may never do, but StreetLife will be there to provide support no matter what. They work with an amazing team of professionals from; the police, council, NHS and substance misuse agencies who meet regularly to ensure that clients who are at risk of harm are being managed accordingly. 

The experiences on outreach consistently reminded me of how valuable the service is. Some incidents we witnessed included; a group of youths throwing drinks over the clients and intimidating them, under age girls out working (when we have to make a 999 call), women presenting immediately after a physical or sexual assault and some women in such poor physical health that they struggle to walk.  

Unfortunately a common response to reporting assaults was 'what's the point, I won't be believed anyway' and some client's had experiences to back this up. StreetLife help to build trust with the clients so they can report anonymously, via the Ugly Mug Scheme, or make an appointment to see a police officer at the StreetLife office where they feel safer and have the support of a Project Worker. There has been significant progress made in building relationships with the police and this was displayed when some StreetLife clients attended court to give evidence of sexual and physical assaults they suffered from a 'punter'. He was found guilty and sentenced to over 10 years in prison.  This was instrumental in demonstrating to client's that they would be believed and taken seriously. It also helps to dispel the belief that any kind of assault is a 'risk of the job'. During this time, I realised I work with some of the bravest women I know. I'm not sure I could stand up in a court room, where I was being openly judged about the work I do, and go into graphic details about a sexual assault I suffered.

One debate I can often find myself in is whether sex work is a 'choice' or not.  This is a debate which will have lots of arguements, which will vary depending on what type of sex industry the client is in and our own beliefs and morals.  This is not an arguement about whether sex work is wrong or not. Should someone work in the industry, they shouldn't be judged and should have access to services without stigma. However, It is wrong when women are forced into sex work and have no other choice. StreetLife works predominantly with street based sex workers and I've never met anyone who said 'I wanted to grow up and be a sex worker'. I would say that most of the clients I worked with suffered some form of emotional, physical, sexual abuse or neglect, as a child and or/as an adult. Most clients have experienced complex trauma which contributes to complex mental health needs and substance misuse problems. We don't get a choice of what family or environment we are born into. The majority of client's suffer with chronic low self-esteem as a result of their life events. Some client's didn't feel that they were worthy of any other life.  There could be an arguement that suggests people feel so much shame and suffer with low self esteem for working in this industry because that's what our society says you should feel. However nearly all the client's I worked with were not happy with themselves or their lives before they became a sex worker. We need to make it safer for women working and give those, who wish to exit, the opportunities to do so. And that's what StreetLife does.

The team is small and they work ever so hard, as do the dedicated volunteers who keep the evening outreach service going all year round. It easy for me to get on a bike and do a cycle (well fairly, i'm very unfit and my bike is rubbish!) because I have choices. I have support, a roof over my head, a regular income and I don't feel controlled by anyone. If I didn't have these things I really don't know where I would be.

Thank you!