Just as the various laws regarding sex work have changed, and are continuing to change, so has the attitude of the police.
Today, the police in many areas of the UK are much more responsive to reports of crimes against sex workers than ever before.
London has a voluntary group of independent lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advisors working with the Metropolitan Police Service at New Scotland Yard.
From the outset, the Advisory Group identified men and trans people who sell sex as a group who needed to be listened to. In order to address issues which concern male sex workers and those from the trans community, the Sex Worker Project Group works closely with the International Union of Sex Workers (IUSW).
The group's current concerns include:
- Fair policing - ensuring that those working within the sex industry are treated as citizens and afforded the same rights as people from any other section of society.
- Harm reduction - meeting with the Vice Squad to discuss the security and safety of sex workers.
The Advisory Group's website includes more details, including how to get involved with their work.
Their links page includes details of local community forums for many London boroughs, while the Met's own site has links to all of London's Community Safety Units - the section of the police committed to fighting hate crimes such as homophobic and transphobic attacks.
|
Our work |
|
Our services |
|
For sex workers only |
|
Make a donation |
|
SW5 Leaflets |
|
Useful links |
|
Contact us |