Prostitution... Choice or Abuse?

As you're probably aware, A WAY OUT has been working with vulnerable women since we began as a charity 10 years ago.  Some of these women are involved in street prostitution and one of the issues we have faced in raising awareness and support for our work with these women, is that many people think that women who work on the streets have chosen to be there. The need for their support is therefore questioned. Through our work over the last 10 years in Stockton, we have observed a very different story...

Nearly all the women we work with don't want to be working on the streets, in fact, they are often victims of circumstance.  They have often had traumatic pasts which can include historical abuse and other personal trauma.  The work they do often supports not only themselves, but other people; boyfriends, landlords and so on.

There is a clear correlation that for many of these women, experiences as a child and young adult affect the choices they make in later life.  Some of our projects here specifically target that age group - teaching them healthy living, alcohol and drug awareness and befriending them, so these situations are minimalised.   Some of our projects work with women already in street prostitution, helping to improve their safety, and to refer them onto more specialised services to show them a way out.

Some people believe our support of these women is not needed, but in reality, these women are like you and me.  If you met them on the street, they could be your sister, cousin, mother, daughter.  All they want is to have a "normal" life; having a coffee with friends, going out for lunch, taking a trip to the cinema, but because of past life circumstances that can lead to addiction, these women have become engrained in a non-choice activity that is completely stigmatised by society.

To help you make a decision on whether these women need or deserve support, here's a statement from one girl, who we'll call Lucy.  When interviewed about her life and the link between her addiction and prostitution she said:
  "That is my life, in those bags over there.  I have got nothing.  Nothing.  We were just messed up kids looking for a buzz.  Nobody ever imagined it would end up like this.  I've ended up in prostitution through it and I feel like I am being abused, every time I go out there.  The men, they know you need your drugs and they will make you do anything. It's not right and it has to stop."

We believe this is abuse, not choice. And it has to stop.  What do you think?

If you're interested in finding out more about our work to help prevent sexual exploitation, then head over to our website and our 'become a friend to Katie' campaign.

We think it's good to discuss and debate important issues.

Love from A Way Out x