Essential Resources and Safety Information for Sex Workers in Portsmouth
Understanding the complex landscape surrounding sex work in Portsmouth involves navigating legal frameworks, accessing vital health services, and knowing where to find support. This guide focuses on safety, resources, and pathways to assistance.
What is the Legal Status of Sex Work in Portsmouth?
Sex work itself (the exchange of sexual services for payment between consenting adults) isn’t illegal in England, but many associated activities are criminalized. Key laws include soliciting in public places, kerb-crawling, operating or working in a brothel, and controlling prostitution for gain.
What Activities Are Specifically Illegal?
Soliciting (attempting to get clients) on the street or in a public place is illegal under the Street Offences Act 1959. Kerb-crawling (soliciting sex workers from a vehicle) is also illegal. Running a brothel (where more than one sex worker operates) is prohibited. Exploitative activities like trafficking, coercion, or controlling a prostitute for gain are serious criminal offences.
Where Can Sex Workers Access Healthcare in Portsmouth?
Confidential and non-judgmental sexual health services are crucial. Portsmouth’s main provider is Solent Sexual Health, offering testing, treatment, contraception (including PrEP for HIV prevention), and support. The Umbrella Project provides outreach services specifically engaging with sex workers.
Are There Specialised Sexual Health Clinics?
Yes, Solent Sexual Health clinics operate at St Mary’s Community Health Campus and other locations. They offer walk-in and appointment services, ensuring confidentiality regardless of occupation. The Umbrella Project often collaborates with them for targeted outreach.
What Support Services Exist for Exiting Sex Work?
Several organizations in Portsmouth offer support for those wanting to leave sex work. The Hampton Trust runs the ‘Drive Project’ tackling perpetrator behaviour but also supports victims, including those exploited through prostitution. Stop Domestic Abuse provides refuge, advocacy, and support for those experiencing violence or coercion, which often overlaps with sex work.
How Can Someone Get Immediate Help or Advice?
Contacting specialist support services is the first step. Stop Domestic Abuse has a 24-hour helpline. The National Ugly Mugs (NUM) scheme provides safety alerts and reporting mechanisms for sex workers experiencing violence or dangerous clients, promoting community safety intelligence.
What Are the Key Safety Risks and How to Mitigate Them?
Sex workers face significant risks, including violence, sexual assault, theft, and exploitation. Mitigation strategies include using buddy systems, screening clients, working indoors where safer, sharing safety information through networks like NUM, carrying a personal alarm, and trusting instincts.
How Can Technology Help with Safety?
Apps and platforms designed for sex worker safety (like ‘Safe’ or ‘Bsafe’) allow location sharing and emergency alerts. Reporting dangerous individuals anonymously via NUM protects others. Secure communication methods are vital.
What is the Role of the Police in Portsmouth?
Hampshire Constabulary operates under a policy prioritizing the safety of sex workers and targeting exploitation and violence. The focus is on safeguarding vulnerable individuals, investigating crimes committed against sex workers (like assault, robbery), and tackling trafficking and coercion, rather than targeting consenting adult sex workers engaged in low-level offences.
Can Sex Workers Report Crimes Without Fear of Arrest?
The police encourage reporting of crimes. While there’s no blanket immunity for prostitution-related offences, the primary aim when a sex worker reports a crime (especially violence, trafficking, or exploitation) is to support the victim and investigate the serious crime. Specialist officers are often involved.
Where Can Sex Workers Find Community and Peer Support?
Building supportive networks is vital for wellbeing and safety. While formal groups may be discreet, outreach projects like The Umbrella Project facilitate connections. Online forums and closed social media groups moderated by and for sex workers offer peer advice, safety tips, and emotional support.
Is There Advocacy for Sex Workers’ Rights?
National organizations like the English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP) and Sex Worker Advocacy and Resistance Movement (SWARM) campaign for the decriminalization of sex work, improved safety, access to justice, and an end to stigma and police harassment. They provide resources and advocacy support.
What Financial and Housing Support Might Be Available?
Exiting sex work often requires financial stability and safe housing. Organizations like Stop Domestic Abuse can assist with refuge spaces. Citizens Advice Portsmouth provides guidance on benefits, debt, and housing options. Specialist projects sometimes offer small grants or support accessing training/employment.
How Can Someone Access Benefits or Training?
Citizens Advice offers free, confidential advice on navigating the benefits system (Universal Credit, etc.). Local colleges and organizations like The Roberts Centre may offer support accessing education or vocational training programs to build alternative employment skills.
What About Mental Health and Wellbeing Support?
The psychological impact of sex work can be significant. Accessing counselling is crucial. Solent NHS Trust provides mental health services; referral can be via a GP or sometimes directly. Charities like The Connection (supporting vulnerable people, including some sex workers) offer counselling and wellbeing support.
Are There Trauma-Informed Services?
Services like Stop Domestic Abuse and specialists within Solent NHS Trust are experienced in trauma-informed care, understanding the specific impacts of violence, exploitation, and stigma associated with sex work. They provide tailored support.
