SWWOP

SWWOP- Beth Webster, Project Manager 

SWWOP provides intensive support and practical support to a socially isolated and vulnerable group of women involved in sex work and street sex work.  

Many people think that women make informed choices to become involved in sex work and street sex work. However, most women become involved in because of lack of choice, have been groomed, pressured and/or coerced by pimps or traffickers. It is well documented that the majority of women involved in street sex work suffer from multiple disadvantages throughout their lives such as financial deprivation, homelessness, coercion, violence and abuse. Around 70% of those involved in street prostitution have a history of local authority care and 45% report experiencing sexual abuse during their childhoods (Home Office 2006). Many enter prostitution before age 18. It is the men who buy sex who are exercising free choice, and it is this “choice” to purchase vulnerable women and girls that maintains prostitution and fuels trafficking for sexual exploitation. Their vulnerability is often not seen or recognised. 

Beth with share her experiences and knowledge gained working for SWWOP and provide an insight into how vulnerable these women may be 

Dates