Understanding Prostitution in Preston: Context, Risks, and Support
The presence of sex work in Preston, like many urban areas, is a complex social issue intertwined with law, public health, economics, and personal circumstance. This article provides a factual overview of the legal framework, associated risks, available support services, and the realities faced by individuals involved in street-based or off-street sex work in Preston. It aims to inform based on harm reduction principles and signpost towards help.
What is the Legal Status of Prostitution in Preston?
Prostitution itself (the exchange of sexual services for payment) is not illegal in England and Wales, including Preston. However, virtually all activities surrounding it are criminalized. Soliciting (buying or selling sex in a public place), kerb-crawling, brothel-keeping (where more than one person works), pimping, and controlling prostitution for gain are all offences.
What Laws Specifically Target Street-Based Sex Work?
The Policing and Crime Act 2009 significantly impacted street sex work. It introduced stricter penalties for persistent soliciting and made paying for sex with someone subjected to force, deception, or threats a specific offence (even if the buyer was unaware). Police in Preston, often working with the local authority, may use dispersal orders or enforce Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in areas known for street soliciting, aiming to move the activity elsewhere but not eliminate it.
How Do Laws Affect Off-Street Sex Work?
Operating alone from a private residence is generally the least legally risky model for sex workers, though it carries other dangers. Advertising services online occupies a complex legal grey area. Crucially, working with others (even for safety) can constitute brothel-keeping. Landlords renting premises knowing they are used for prostitution can also face prosecution. Trafficking and exploitation are serious criminal offences.
What Are the Main Health Risks Associated with Sex Work in Preston?
Sex workers, particularly those on the street, face significant physical and mental health challenges. Exposure to violence (physical and sexual) from clients or third parties is a major risk. High prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood-borne viruses (BBVs) like HIV and Hepatitis C occurs due to inconsistent condom use, often pressured by clients. Substance dependency is common, both as a coping mechanism and a driver into sex work. Poor mental health, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is widespread.
Where Can Sex Workers Access Healthcare Support in Preston?
Confidential and non-judgmental healthcare is crucial:
- Sexual Health Services: Preston’s Brook Young People’s Centre and the Central Lancashire Sexual Health Service offer STI/BBV testing, treatment, contraception (including PrEP for HIV prevention), and support.
- Substance Misuse Services: Organizations like Inspire (part of Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust) provide drug and alcohol support, needle exchanges, and pathways to treatment.
- Mental Health Support: Access via GPs or specialist services like Lancashire Women’s Centres, which offer counselling and trauma support.
What Support Services Exist for Individuals Involved in Prostitution in Preston?
Several local and national organizations offer practical and emotional support:
- Naz Project Lancashire (NPL): Specializes in support for sex workers, including outreach, harm reduction (condoms, safety advice), advocacy, help with exiting, and support around exploitation/trafficking.
- Safety4Sisters (North West): Focuses on supporting migrant women affected by gender-based violence, including those in sex work facing no recourse to public funds or immigration issues.
- The Magdalene Group (National, with NW reach): Provides outreach, advocacy, support to exit, and programmes for women exploited through prostitution.
- Lancashire Women’s Centres: Offer holistic support including counselling, debt advice, employability skills, and safety planning, relevant to women involved in sex work.
Is There Help Specifically for Exiting Prostitution?
Yes, exiting support is a key focus. Services like Naz Project Lancashire and The Magdalene Group provide dedicated caseworkers. Support includes:
- Developing safety plans.
- Accessing safe accommodation (refuges, supported housing).
- Navigating benefits and debt advice (Citizens Advice Preston).
- Referrals to drug/alcohol treatment.
- Mental health support.
- Education, training, and employment pathways.
- Building social networks outside of sex work.
What About Support for Victims of Trafficking or Exploitation?
The Salvation Army holds the government contract for adult victim care in England and Wales. They provide specialist support, including safe accommodation, for victims of modern slavery, which includes sexual exploitation. Referrals usually come via the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), often initiated by police or support agencies like NPL or Safety4Sisters.
What are the Socio-Economic Factors Driving Sex Work in Preston?
People enter sex work for complex reasons, often involving multiple overlapping vulnerabilities:
- Poverty & Financial Desperation: Inability to meet basic needs, pay rent, or cover debts due to low wages, benefit sanctions, or lack of access to benefits (e.g., migrants with no recourse to public funds – NRPF).
- Housing Instability & Homelessness: Lack of safe, affordable housing is a major driver. Survival sex (trading sex for shelter or basics) occurs.
- Substance Dependency: The need to fund drug or alcohol addiction can trap individuals in sex work.
- Historic Abuse & Trauma: Experiences of childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, or other trauma are common backgrounds.
- Grooming & Exploitation: Coercion by partners (“boyfriends”) or organized criminal gangs.
- Limited Opportunities: Lack of education, skills, employment options, or childcare support.
What is the Reality of Street Sex Work in Preston?
Street sex work in Preston typically occurs in specific, often isolated, industrial or peripheral areas, usually late at night. It is widely considered the most dangerous form of sex work due to:
- High Risk of Violence: From clients, strangers, or opportunistic attackers.
- Limited Time for Screening Clients: Increased risk of encountering dangerous individuals.
- Exposure to the Elements & Lack of Safety: Vulnerability working outdoors.
- Increased Police Attention: Leading to displacement, fines, or criminal records, further marginalizing workers.
- Visibility & Stigma: Leading to harassment and discrimination.
How Has Online Sex Work Changed the Landscape?
The internet has shifted much sex work indoors. Platforms allow workers to advertise independently, screen clients more carefully, negotiate terms, and work from private premises (incalls) or visit clients (outcalls). While generally safer than street work, risks remain: clients can still be violent or refuse to pay; working alone carries risks; online harassment and “doxxing” (revealing private information) are threats; and the legal grey area around advertising persists. Traffickers also use online platforms to exploit victims.
What is Preston’s Approach to Policing Prostitution?
Policing in Preston, led by Lancashire Constabulary, typically involves a multi-agency approach, often coordinated through the local Community Safety Partnership. Priorities include:
- Targeting Exploitation & Trafficking: Identifying and supporting victims, pursuing traffickers and exploiters.
- Disrupting Street Soliciting: Using legislation like PSPOs, enforcing soliciting laws, kerb-crawling operations. This often focuses on displacing the activity rather than supporting workers.
- Addressing Community Concerns: Responding to complaints about street sex work (e.g., used condoms, noise) which can drive enforcement actions.
- Harm Reduction Signposting: Increasingly, police are encouraged to refer individuals encountered in sex work to support services like Naz Project Lancashire, although trust between sex workers and police is often low due to enforcement history.
Are There Alternatives to Criminalisation?
Harm reduction approaches, advocated by many support services, prioritize the safety and health of sex workers over criminal penalties. This includes:
- Decriminalization: Removing criminal penalties for sex work between consenting adults (not to be confused with legalization, which implies state regulation). This is the model supported by Amnesty International and many health bodies to reduce violence and improve access to services.
- Managed Areas/Tolerance Zones: Designated areas where street sex work is unofficially tolerated or managed (with support services nearby) to improve safety. Preston does not have such a zone.
- Focus on Exiting Support: Investing resources into voluntary, well-funded support services to help those who wish to leave.
- Targeting Exploiters, Not Workers: Focusing law enforcement resources solely on trafficking, exploitation, coercion, and violence.
Where Can the Public Report Concerns or Access Information?
For concerns about exploitation or trafficking:
- Modern Slavery Helpline: 0800 0121 700 or online reporting.
- Lancashire Constabulary: 101 (non-emergency) or 999 (emergency). Report suspicious activity anonymously via Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111.
For information or support related to sex work (as a worker or concerned about someone):
- Naz Project Lancashire (NPL): Contact via their website or local outreach services.
- National Ugly Mugs (NUM): Provides alerts about dangerous clients (for sex workers) and allows reporting of incidents. Also offers support.
Understanding the complex realities of prostitution in Preston involves looking beyond stigma. It requires acknowledging the legal constraints, the significant risks faced by those involved, the underlying socio-economic drivers, and the crucial role of dedicated support services focused on harm reduction, health, safety, and providing pathways out for those who choose to take them. Public awareness and support for evidence-based approaches are vital.