Vulnerability and involvement in drug use and ... - Sex Work Europe

in situ HIV and sexual health work is not generally a major priority for female sex
workers who often have many other multiple needs that take priority, such as
homelessness, violence, drugs and poverty
Why existing services are rejected by many of those they purport to serve
(Green et al., (1997: 97).
Adams et al., (1997) describe how young people involved in prostitution avoid statutory
agencies because they fear being re t u rned to violent homes. Childre n ’s evidence of
violence, these authors point out, is less likely to be believed than that given by adults. The
result is that children who might look to the police or social services to protect them, are left
to the mercies of abusing adults. Furthermore, vulnerable children may avoid contact with
services because they fear loosing face (Shaw and Butler, 1998). On the street, a reputation
for being able to cope, ‘being hard’ or ‘streetwise’ is important for a young person lest s/he
is seen as either ‘a grass’ or weak – either of which are liable to result in further bullying
and danger.
Difficulties in ‘working together’
Problems of partnership classically include those of leadership, ownership and co-ordination
of all of the elements of the collaboration. Establishing the multi-agency approach required
under the Safeguarding Children Involved in Prostitution (Dept. of Health, 2000) guidance
has in addition, re q u i red the planning and implementation of local protocols which must
c o h e re with local ACPC protocols. On the local level, disputes have arisen on such
disparate topics as funding, re s p o n s i b i l i t y, information sharing and the role of adult sex
workers in preventing youth prostitution (Barnardo’s, 2000).
Suggestions for service improvements
Christian and Gilvarry (1999) suggest that young people should be involved in the
development of services which are to target them. In terms of how these services might be
delivered, these authors also note that since young people are heavily reliant on their peers
for direction and identification, that group work approaches may be particularly effective. In
t e rms of w h a t s e rvices these young people need, a new and more flexible approach to
accommodation needs appears high on many agendas. Bluett and colleagues, (2000)
describe a need for intensive supported accommodation as well as specialist
accommodation. Elsewhere, the range of proposed services appears to be growing as
holistic responses are recognised as appropriate. This may reflect a more widespre a d
pattern of change in service delivery style. It may equally be evidence of our increasing
a w a reness of young people as simultaneously in need of more than just protection and
control. However, Barrett, (1997a) concludes that:
Introduction
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