Tackling client violence in female street prostitution: Inter-agency working between outreach agencies and the police

Abstract

Research has shown that a characteristic feature of female street prostitution globally is the high incidence of violence perpetrated against women by men who approach them as clients. Given the absence of legislation in the United Kingdom that enhances the safety of street sex workers, this article contends that schemes which promote inter-agency working between sex worker outreach agencies and the police are vital in tackling the unacceptable level of client violence in street prostitution. A case study of a scheme operating in Merseyside is provided and positive intermediate outcomes are discussed. The scheme--known as "Ugly Mugs"--encourages women to report violent incidents to outreach workers who can disseminate the information to other sex workers and the police. "Ugly Mugs" has resulted in an increase in reports of violence and contributed to convicting two clients of violent crimes against street sex workers, thus demonstrating the valuable role such schemes can play in crime reduction.