Prostitutution Problem

The home office have made plans to introduce an anti-prostitution program. This will be tested in Ipswitch, Suffolk, and if all goes well it could be introduced to other UK towns and cities. Prostitutes are going to be tracked using CCTV cameras and offered counseling and new opportunities, and if they refuse to co-operate with the strategy they could face ASBOs or even prosecution. The local council and the Home Office think that this is the way forward, but the women themselves have slightly different views. They claim that after good treatment from the police after the notorious Ipswich murders, things have gone back to regular arrests, and in some cases even abuse.

Often prostitutes carry weapons or bricks around with them now for protection, while others have been submitted to violence. The English Collective of Prostitutes are very concerned that this will merely push the trade underground and force girls to work in unknown places, therefore increasing the risks. One vicar who offers support to these unfortunate people thinks that it is important that we remember

"The girls aren't the threat, they're the victims,".