Experiences of sex work, survival sex and sexual exploitation in Doncaster

In a new report, Changing Lives spotlights 16 women in Doncaster with experiences of sex work, survival sex and sexual exploitation, supported by Changing Lives’ Amber Project.

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

Most of the women were involved in what has been called ‘survival sex’ – a form of sex work in which a person is not forced 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 such as the Amber Project and mainstream services such as the police in identifying and addressing sexual exploitation. Police officers are often the first point of contact, but women spoke of harrowing experiences of discrimination, stigmatisation and victim blaming.

Addiction is a driving factor in many women’s experiences, both as a contributing factor to entering and continuing sex work, and as a coping mechanism for previous traumatic experiences. Addiction and its associated stigma also act as a barrier to accessing other essential supports, such as safe housing.

Changing Lives findings show that essential elements of support for women with experiences of the sex industry, survival sex and sexual exploitation need to be offered as part of a holistic package:

1. Long-term, non-judgmental outreach support
2. Informed regular services
3. Flexible, gender-informed addiction and recovery services
4. Safe, gender-specific, trauma-informed care, including services for people 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 initially entering sex work, with the exception of money to buy drugs, but was cited as a reason for returning to sex work. Sex work is often seen as a fallback option when women are experiencing financial hardship, despite the impact it can 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 real financial stability.

These findings highlight the challenges in supporting people who want to leave 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 people who do sex work can do so safely. This requires legislative, societal and cultural changes, as well as the support of specialist services such as Amber.

You can read the full Changing Lives report 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 in engaging with specialist mainstream services so that their needs can be met holistically.

Changing Lives guides people on their path to recovery, health and resilience by building positive social networks.