Experiences of Sex Work, Survival Sex and Sexual Exploitation in Doncaster

In a new report, Changing Lives shone the light on 16 women in Doncaster with experiences of sex work, survival sex and sexual exploitation, who are supported by Changing Lives’ Amber Project.

The research was focused on experiences of street sex work, where people with additional vulnerabilities and unmet needs are disproportionately represented. It cannot be taken to be representative of all sex workers.

Most of the women were involved in what is referred to as ‘survival sex’ – a form of sex work whereby a person is not coerced into sexual activity but is instead constrained by social and/or economic vulnerabilities. Some also described clearly exploitative relationships.

The report highlights the important role of specialist services like the Amber Project and mainstream services like the police in identifying and tackling sexual exploitation. Police officers are often the first point of contact, yet women disclosed experiences of shocking discrimination, stigmatisation and victim-blaming.

Addiction is a driving factor behind many women’s experiences, both as contributing factors to entering and staying in sex work and also as a coping mechanism for previous traumatic experiences. Addiction and the associated stigma also act as a barrier to accessing other vital support such as safe accommodation.

Changing Lives findings indicate crucial components of support for women with experiences of sex work, survival sex and sexual exploitation which should be provided as part of a holistic package:

1. Long-term, non-judgemental outreach support
2. Informed mainstream services
3. Flexible, gender-informed addiction and recovery services
4. Safe, gender-specific, trauma-informed accommodation, including provision for those with higher levels of complexity
5. Sustainable income
6. Multi-agency case management

It was notable that financial hardship was not cited as a reason for entering sex work in the first place, with the exception of money for buying drugs, but featured in reasons for returning to sex work. Sex work will often be seen as an option to fall back on when women face financial difficulty, despite the impact it may have on their health, safety and wellbeing. This highlights the importance of supporting people with experience of sex work, survival sex and sexual exploitation to achieve genuine financial stability.

These findings highlight the challenges in supporting those who wish to exit sex work to do so as well as the fact that this may not be what people choose. It is vital that we ensure that those who engage in sex work are able to do so safely. This will take legislative, societal and cultural changes, as well as the support of specialist services like Amber.

You can read the full report from Changing Lives here: https://bit.ly/47hTOL5.

The Amber project works with women and men with experience of sex work, survival sex and/or sexual exploitation in Doncaster.

Their team supports people to engage with specialist mainstream services to enable them to meet their needs holistically.

Changing Lives works with individuals along the journey towards recovery, health and resilience by building up positive social networks.