How was the research done?

A method called Participatory Action Research was used. This involved local people and organisations, so that the ideas that came out of the work would be understood by those involved and create policy with is in line with what people think locally. Information was collected by questionnaire, interview, written statement and focus group. The report on the research was completed in April 2001 and it became a public document in March 2002.

What did we find?

Street sex workers Large numbers of street sex workers had experienced homelessness, local authority care and the criminal justice system Many had problems with drug use and dependency and experienced high levels of physical violence 38% of the women questioned had been to prison and 38% had fines outstanding.

"But one of my worst fears is being murdered"

"I went to prison for my fines, yeah, because I couldn't pay them. They reached about a grand at one stage and I could not pay them."

Men who pay for sex (March 1999 - Sept 2000) Men from Walsall were the majority of the clients (7% from outside the West Midlands) About 2/3 were white An estimate of 17 clients per worker per week gave a total of about 680 clients using the area each week.

Pimps 31% of working women suffered violence from a pimp. 40% of women reported that they suffered violence from a partner or boyfriend. Proceedings against pimps in England and Wales are rare.

Did you know?

Prostitution (paying for sex) is not illegal. It is soliciting (inviting or advertising for sex), keeping a brothel and kerb crawling, which are against the law Key Recommendations Many detailed recommendations came out of the research. These dealt with safety issues for the residents and women sex workers. Recommendations were made regarding the environment, pimping, violence, homelessness and the health of all concerned. Local people were seen as being key to making these recommendations work.

Key recommendations

The main recommendation was that a forum is set up to include residents, all Walsall agencies and Authorities dealing with prostitution. It would have an independent chair and the following sub groups:
ï children
ï sex-worker support
ï residents group

<< back   next >>