Paying the Price consultation

Homelessness and prostitution: your chance to influence policy

Do you work with sex-workers? If so, your contribution to this consultation will be invaluable: The Home Office report Paying the Price, looks at developing future policy and practice leading to a coordinated strategy for prostitution- aimed at reducing the harms associated with this trade. They seek innovative and effective ways to reduce associated crime and enable those women who want to to move on.

The report recognises the close links between homelessness and prostitution and Homeless Link will write a response to the document in November. We will bring together member agencies with a special interest in this area for a round-table discussion. This meeting will take place on Tuesday 12 October, at Homeless Link's London offices, 10-13 Rushworth Street, SE1 0RB map (MS Word) | map (PDF) .

For those unable to come to the meeting, it will still be possible to contribute by email or telephone. Contact sarah.mitchell@homelesslink.org.uk" , 020 7960 3028 for further details.

Overview This consultation document recognises the links between prostitution and inadequate housing. Homelessness is a common experience amongst sex workers, homelessness can be both a contributory factor to entering the sex trade, and a hindrance to those wishing to exit it. As well as staying in hostels or sleeping rough, sex workers may form part of the hidden homeless population: They may work through the night or stay in crack houses; others stay in dangerous relationships to keep a roof over their heads; many are involved in off-street sex work where accommodation is tied to their prostitution. Providing appropriate accommodation and support is vital for those wishing to exit prostitution. In this report the Home Office will publish examples of projects, initiatives and ideas which have bee effective and should shape future policy and practice. The consultation provides an opportunity for frontline agencies to contribute to this paper.

Key points (Chapter five Supporting adults involved in prostitution )

• Outreach work – important as first port of call. Supporting harm reduction and an introduction to other key services.
• hidden nature of homelessness amongst sex workers – accessing supported accommodation ties into support services and enables exit strategy
• combining prevention with longer-term support
• the role of secure housing in prevention and in diversion from prostitution
• access to housing as an alternative to remaining in abusive relationships
• secure housing has role building self-esteem and independent living skills
• importance of coordinating drug, domestic violence and housing services
• insecure housing exacerbates chaotic lifestyle, inability to keep appointments or follow through from rehab.
• Integration of drug treatment and housing as key to first stage any exit strategy
• few working in prostitution sleep on streets – no CAT number or way into services
• secure housing as foundation for rebuilding lives.

Questions you can answer - Excerpt from consultation:

• What can be done to provide men and women involved in prostitution with a real alternative? We need to ensure that we build on the best practice from the 11 CRP projects and incorporate protection and support as fundamental elements of a coordinated strategy.
• The paper contains some useful examples of what works to support men and women out of prostitution. Do you have examples of other initiatives that have proved effective and provide useful learning?
• What needs to be done to raise the awareness of sexual health among those involved in prostitution, including those who buy sex?
• How should we tackle the links between sex and drug markets?
• Appropriate housing is a crucial element of a successful exit strategy. Are there examples of where this difficult issue has been tackled effectively?
• Are there identifiably different needs in terms of support for different communities?
• How do we increase confidence in the criminal justice system of those involved in prostitution?
• How do we ensure that a coordinated strategy is adopted by all relevant agencies?
• How do we ensure that justice is done to protect the victims of exploitation through prostitution?

To see the full version of the document visit the Home Office website

To join in our round-table discussion on this on Tuesday 12 October, 10-12pm at Homeless Link's London offices, 10-13 Rushworth Street, SE1 0RB. Please contact sarah.mitchell@homelesslink.org.uk" , 020 7960 3028 for further details.

For those unable to come to the meeting, it will still be possible to contribute by email or telephone.