Understanding Sex Work in Durham: Laws, Safety & Support

This guide provides factual information about the legal framework surrounding sex work in Durham, UK, focusing on health resources, safety considerations, and available support services for individuals involved in or affected by commercial sex. It emphasizes harm reduction, legal obligations, and pathways to support.

Is sex work legal in Durham, UK?

No, exchanging sex for money is not legal in the UK, including Durham. England and Wales operate under the “Nordic Model” approach, criminalizing the purchase of sex (punting) and activities like soliciting, kerb-crawling, brothel-keeping, and pimping. Selling sex itself is not a crime, but many activities surrounding it are. The primary goal under this model is to reduce demand by targeting buyers and third parties, while offering support to those selling sex to exit if they wish. Durham Constabulary enforces these laws.

It’s crucial to understand the specific offences: Soliciting (attempting to sell sex in a public place) is illegal. Loitering or soliciting for the purpose of prostitution is an offence. Kerb-crawling (soliciting sex from a motor vehicle in a public place) is illegal. Brothel-keeping (managing or owning a premises where sex work occurs) is illegal, even if it’s just two individuals working together for safety. Controlling prostitution for gain (pimping) is a serious offence. While selling sexual services itself isn’t prosecuted, the legal environment makes it extremely difficult and dangerous to operate.

What health services are available for sex workers in Durham?

Sex workers in Durham can access confidential sexual health services, regardless of their legal status. The NHS provides free, non-judgmental testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), contraception, and harm reduction support.

Key services include: County Durham Sexual Health Service. They offer walk-in clinics and appointments across County Durham, including Durham City, providing comprehensive STI testing (including HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea), contraception advice, PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV), PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis), and hepatitis B vaccinations. All services are confidential. Local GP Practices: Individuals can register with a GP for general healthcare, including sexual health. GPs maintain confidentiality. Pharmacies: Many pharmacies offer free condoms, emergency contraception, and advice on sexual health. Needle and Syringe Programmes (NSPs): For those who inject drugs, NSPs provide clean injecting equipment to reduce the risk of blood-borne viruses like HIV and hepatitis C. These services prioritize anonymity and health outcomes over legal status.

Where can I get free and confidential STI testing in Durham?

The County Durham Sexual Health Service offers free, confidential STI testing at multiple locations. No appointment is necessary for walk-in clinics, and you do not need a referral. Testing is available for everyone, and staff are trained to provide non-judgmental care. You can find clinic times and locations on the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust website or by calling their central number. Results are typically provided discreetly, often via text message or a secure online portal. Treatment, if needed, is also provided free of charge.

How can sex workers stay safe in Durham?

Operating within the illegal framework inherently increases risks. Harm reduction strategies are vital. Safety measures include: Screening Clients: Where possible, try to screen clients beforehand, even informally (e.g., brief chat, trusting intuition). Using Safer Locations: Avoid isolated areas. If meeting indoors, ensure someone knows the location and expected return time, or use a check-in system with a trusted friend. Safer Sex Practices: Consistently use condoms and dental dams for all sexual contact to prevent STIs. Having Emergency Contacts: Share client details (phone number, car reg if possible) and location with a safety buddy before meeting. Agreeing on a check-in time and an emergency signal. Avoiding Working Alone: While legally fraught, working with a trusted colleague nearby can enhance safety but risks prosecution for brothel-keeping. Managing Money: Keep money secure and separate from personal funds; avoid carrying large sums. Trusting Instincts: Leave immediately if feeling unsafe or threatened; personal safety is paramount. Avoiding Substance Impairment: Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol can significantly impair judgment and reaction times during potentially risky situations. Reporting Crimes: Report violence, assault, robbery, or coercion to Durham Constabulary. You have the right to police protection regardless of your involvement in sex work.

What are the risks of street-based sex work in Durham?

Street-based sex work carries heightened risks compared to other forms. Key dangers include: Increased Vulnerability to Violence: Isolation makes workers easy targets for physical and sexual assault, robbery, and exploitation by dangerous individuals. Visibility to Law Enforcement: Soliciting is illegal, leading to arrests, fines, ASBOs (Anti-Social Behaviour Orders), or CBOs (Criminal Behaviour Orders). Kerb-crawlers also risk arrest. Exploitation: Greater likelihood of encountering coercive third parties or traffickers. Environmental Hazards: Working in secluded or industrial areas increases risk of accidents or lack of help if needed. Limited Screening: Difficulty in vetting clients beforehand. Adverse Weather: Exposure to cold, rain, and other elements. Increased Stigma and Harassment: Higher visibility can lead to public harassment and community hostility. Health Risks: Reduced access to immediate hygiene facilities and potentially higher pressure to engage in riskier acts without protection. Outreach services specifically target street-based workers to offer support and harm reduction.

What support services exist for people who want to leave sex work in Durham?

Several organizations in Durham and the wider Northeast offer non-coercive support for individuals who wish to exit sex work. This support is holistic and tailored to individual needs.

Available support includes: A Way Out (Stockton-based but serves Teesside & Durham): A frontline charity offering outreach, crisis intervention, one-to-one support, advocacy, and pathways into services like housing, drug/alcohol treatment, counselling, education, and employment training. They operate a trauma-informed approach. Changing Lives: A national charity with services across the North East, including County Durham. They provide support for people experiencing multiple disadvantages, including homelessness, substance misuse, and involvement in sex work. They offer housing support, employability programmes, and specialist support workers. Local Authority Housing and Social Services: Durham County Council can provide support with housing emergencies, accessing benefits, and social care needs. Specialist support workers may be available via social services. Mental Health Services (NHS Talking Therapies, Community Mental Health Teams): Accessing psychological support for trauma, anxiety, depression, or substance use is crucial for many seeking to exit. Specialist Domestic Abuse Services: Organisations like Harbour Support Services (domestic abuse) can provide refuge and support if coercion or abuse is a factor. These services focus on empowerment, providing practical help and emotional support without judgment to build a sustainable life outside of sex work.

Can I get housing support if I’m trying to leave sex work in Durham?

Yes, accessing safe and stable housing is often a critical first step in exiting sex work. Support includes: Durham County Council Housing Options Team: They have a legal duty to assess anyone who is homeless or threatened with homelessness. Explain your situation and vulnerability due to involvement in sex work and risk of exploitation/violence. Charities like A Way Out and Changing Lives: They have specialist support workers who can advocate for you with housing providers, help access supported accommodation projects, or navigate the homelessness application process. They may also have access to specific funds for deposits or rent in advance. Refuge Places: If domestic abuse or trafficking is involved, specialist refuges (like those run by Harbour) can provide emergency safe accommodation. Supported Accommodation: Some hostels and supported housing projects work specifically with vulnerable adults, including those exiting exploitation or sex work. Outreach support workers are key in advocating for appropriate housing solutions.

What are the legal consequences of buying sex (kerb-crawling) in Durham?

Buying sex is illegal under the Policing and Crime Act 2009 (Section 14). Durham Constabulary actively enforces this law. Consequences for buyers (“punters”) include: Arrest and Charge: Being caught soliciting sex from a street worker or through other means can lead to arrest. Criminal Record: If convicted, the individual will receive a criminal record. This can have severe impacts on employment (especially jobs requiring DBS checks), travel visas, and reputation. Fines: Significant financial penalties are common upon conviction. Driving Licence Seizure: Under Section 60 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, magistrates can order the seizure of the offender’s driving licence for kerb-crawling offences. Rehabilitation Programme: Courts may order attendance at a “John’s School” or similar rehabilitation programme focusing on the harms of prostitution and exploitation, often as part of a conditional caution or sentence. ASBOs/CBOs: Anti-Social Behaviour Orders or Criminal Behaviour Orders can be imposed, banning individuals from specific areas or behaviours. Public Exposure: While not automatic, there is a risk of public exposure, especially if the case goes to court. Police may also use “naming and shaming” tactics in some operations.

How does Durham police handle reports of violence against sex workers?

Durham Constabulary has a duty to investigate all reports of crime, including those committed against sex workers. Reporting is encouraged. Key aspects include: Right to Protection: Sex workers have the same right to police protection as any other citizen. Reports of rape, assault, robbery, coercion, or threats should be taken seriously. Specialist Units: Crimes may be investigated by local CID or, in cases suggesting serial offenders or extreme violence, by Major Crime Teams. Durham Constabulary also has Vulnerability Investigation Teams focused on crimes against vulnerable individuals, which can include sex workers. Operation Sanctuary: While primarily focused on sexual exploitation and vulnerability, its principles guide the force’s approach to supporting vulnerable victims, which can include sex workers experiencing violence or exploitation. Challenges: Despite policy, barriers exist, including fear of arrest for soliciting/brothel-keeping by the victim, distrust of police, fear of stigma, and concerns about not being believed. Durham Constabulary encourages reporting and aims to focus on the violent crime rather than the victim’s involvement in sex work. Victim Support: Organisations like Victim Support NE can offer independent help, regardless of whether the crime is reported to police. Specialist services like A Way Out can also provide advocacy and support.

Will I get in trouble for reporting a crime if I’m a sex worker?

Durham Constabulary’s stated policy is to prioritize the investigation of the violent crime over offences related to the victim’s involvement in sex work. The primary focus should be on the reported assault, robbery, or threat. While there is no blanket immunity, the force operates under guidance (like the National Police Chiefs’ Council strategy on sex work) emphasizing victim safety and the investigation of serious crimes. It is highly unlikely that someone reporting a serious violent crime like rape or assault would be prosecuted for soliciting or brothel-keeping related to that specific incident. The aim is to build trust to encourage reporting of dangerous offenders. Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) or specialist support services (A Way Out, Rape Crisis) can offer confidential advice and support before, during, and after reporting, and can liaise with police on your behalf.

What resources are available for the families of sex workers in Durham?

Families often need support dealing with worry, stigma, complex emotions, and practical concerns. Resources include: Specialist Support Organisations: Charities like A Way Out may offer family support or signposting, understanding the specific context. General Family Support Services: Durham County Council’s Children and Young People’s Services (if children are involved) or Adult Social Care can offer assessments and support. Counselling Services: Accessing talking therapies (via GP referral or privately) can help families cope with stress, anxiety, and relationship challenges. Organisations like Relate offer relationship counselling. National Helplines: Confidential helplines like Family Lives offer advice and support on a range of family issues. Support Groups: While specific groups for families of sex workers might be rare locally, general family support groups or online forums (handled with caution) can offer peer support. Support workers engaged with the individual in sex work can sometimes offer guidance or signposting for concerned family members.

Where can I learn more about UK sex work policy and harm reduction?

Reputable sources provide information on laws, research, and support approaches:

National Ugly Mugs (NUM): A vital safety resource *for* sex workers, allowing anonymous reporting of dangerous individuals (clients or third parties) and sharing warnings. Also advocates for rights and safety. https://nationaluglymugs.org/Sex Worker Advocacy and Resistance Movement (SWARM): A sex worker-led collective in the UK campaigning for rights, safety, and decriminalization. Provides resources and community. https://www.swarmcollective.org/English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP): Campaigns for the decriminalization of sex work, safety, and legal rights. Offers information and support. https://prostitutescollective.net/Home Office Guidance: Publishes official guidance on the implementation of laws related to prostitution. UK Government and Parliament Websites: Provide access to legislation (e.g., Policing and Crime Act 2009, Sexual Offences Act 2003) and committee reports. Academic Research: Universities (like Durham University’s own departments) conduct research on sex work, policy impacts, and health outcomes. Reputable journals publish findings. NHS Websites: Provide factual information on sexual health services and accessing care.

Understanding the complex legal and social landscape in Durham is crucial for harm reduction and accessing support. Prioritizing health, safety, and informed choices remains paramount.