‘Not focussing on the whole picture overlooks key issues’
Bernie Bowen-Thomson is co-CEO of Safer Wales, a charity which works with victims of domestic violence, rape, sexual abuse, exploitation and hate crime. Here she argues the prostitution ‘problem’ won’t go away unless we understand the real issues...
It’s all too easy to characterise the exploitation of women through street prostitution as “a problem” that has a negative impact on a community or society.
We often see headlines about prostitution “blighting” a particular area, or of the authorities taking action to “clamp down” on those who sell sex for money.
But these stories very rarely report the daily realities of life as a sex worker.
Recent news reports highlighted the problem of prostitution around the Trade Street area of Cardiff, which, combined with evidence of drug abuse and other unsavoury sights such as human excrement and used condoms, had made it a no-go area.
While the concerns expressed in these reports are real this is indicative of a greater issue. I would argue that not focussing on the whole picture overlooks key issues including the dangers faced by the people exploited through prostitution themselves and those who commit violent crimes against them.
To create safer communities, we need commitment and focus from all sectors to continue to work together.
Yesterday was the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, which offers us an ideal opportunity to challenge the perceptions of sex workers and highlight how many of them face a life of fear, exploitation and violence.
On-street prostitution is often driven by vulnerabilities including homelessness and violence, with many finding themselves trapped in a vicious cycle with no way out.
Almost all the women Safer Wales’ StreetLife projects protects have had horrific childhood experiences which affect their adult lives.
They are exploited, abused, controlled and extorted at the hands of others.
These are vulnerable people on the margins of society who need help and support, but by dismissing them as a “problem” without offering alternatives we are only serving to worsen their situation.
We must remember that these women are real people – someone’s mother, daughter or friend.
In the last six months Safer Wales has worked with over 140 women who are trapped in prostitution because they simply have no other option.
As well as the obvious risks to their safety, those exploited through prostitution perceive that they fall outside the law and as such lack the security of our society.
Many of these women face daily violence, stigma and abuse, but their fear of the authorities often prevents them from reporting crimes or seeking help.
At Safer Wales, we work closely with police, health and housing to increase community safety for all.
Attention needs to be focused on the plight of these vulnerable women, the communities and businesses affected and finding ways to support and protect all, rather than alienating one group even further from society by characterising them as a problem.
Our StreetLife project works in partnership with the police, local authorities, the NHS and other agencies to protect vulnerable women exploited by prostitution and offer them the chance to change their way of life in a realistic and safe way.
We have helped to prosecute the perpetrators of violence and abuse and helped many women move toward a safer life away from sex work.
This year marks a decade of the project operating in Cardiff and a year in Swansea.
We want to help more women, and we have plans to roll the project out to other areas of Wales, but without a wider awareness, understanding and appreciation of the real problem we won’t be able to raise the funds and recruit the volunteers we need to fulfill our vital mission to create safer communities for all.
We need more volunteers to join us on our Safer Wales StreetLife project. We are looking for people who want to make a positive difference and help others.
All you need to apply as a volunteer is a full UK driving license and the ability to commit to one or two evenings a month to help out with the project.
We are currently recruiting in Cardiff and Swansea.
If you’re interested in finding out more or joining the programme as a volunteer, visit our website here: http://www.saferwales.com/support-us
By working to protect women exploited through prostitution and other vulnerable women, by taking the time to understand them and by offering them the support they need, we can make a real difference and transform lives.
To do that we need society to understand that we can’t just dismiss prostitution as someone else’s problem – we all need to be part of the solution.