Connect

We aim to support those involved in prostitution to access support services where they exist, rather than replicate them. We seek to work in partnership with some statutory and voluntary organisations within the Dorset area and through referrals.

 

Dorset Working Women Project

 

The DWWP is for all women who work, or have ever worked, in any area of the sex industry, and provides information, advice and support on all work-related issues. The DWWP does not strive to control, reduce or promote prostitution but works to models of health promotion and harm minimisation, offering a confidential and non-judgemental service.

 

What does the DWWP offer?

 

• Home visits to Indoor Workers.
• Street Outreach to Outdoor Workers.

• Condoms, newsletter (containing a dodgy punter list), information on safer sex, safer drug use and advice on personal safety.

• Information and advice on HIV, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B and sexually transmitted infections.

• Transport and company to the GUM for sexual health checkups and treatment.

• Weekly drop-in service.

• Close links to other organisations dealing with drugs, housing, welfare or legal issues.

http://www.f-risky.co.uk/dwwp/

 

Ugly Mugs

 

The National Ugly Mugs Scheme (NUM) enables sex workers to report crimes committed against them.  You can become a member yourself through the NUM website:

 

https://uknswp.org/um/

 

(If you need help to join the scheme or to make a report, any of the Transform team will help you to do this).

 

Reports are then put into an alert that goes out to other projects and sex workers to warn them of potential attackers. Members of the NUM Scheme can receive alerts via SMS or email or by logging in through the website. Transform is able to provide alerts to sex workers who are not members of the scheme. NUM can also share details of the incident with Police but will only do this with consent from the victim and this will be anonymous.

 

Anti-Trafficking Helpline

 

If you are unsure about the situation of someone you have met:

 

• Is the person in possession of a passport, identification or travel documents? Are these documents in possession of someone else?

• Does the person act as if they were instructed or coached by someone else? Do they allow others to speak for them when spoken to directly?

• Was the person recruited for one purpose and forced to engage in some other job? Was their transport paid for by facilitators, whom they must pay back through providing services?

• Does the person receive little or no payment for their work? Is someone else in control of their earnings?

• Does the person have freedom of movement?

• Has the person or family been threatened with harm if the victim attempts to escape?

• Is the person under the impression they are bonded by debt, or in a situation of dependence?

• Has the person been harmed or deprived of food, water, sleep, medical care or other life necessities?

• Can the person freely contact friends or family? Do they have limited social interaction or contact with people outside their immediate environment?

If you are concerned about one of these issues, call the helpline and ask for advice. UK National 24-hour confidential Referral Helpline - 0300 3038151 available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.