As night falls in Bristol, volunteers with the charity One25 are preparing to offer support to women working in the sex industry. Their van is stocked with essential supplies – condoms, underwear, sandwiches, and even teabags – intended to meet immediate needs and provide a lifeline.
Rising Demand and Complex Challenges
One25 is among a growing number of charities across the UK providing outreach to women selling sex on the streets. In Bristol alone, as many as 140 women are estimated to be engaged in this work on any given night. These women are often among the most vulnerable, facing a range of challenges and experiences.
Tracey Tudor, a services manager with One25, explained their approach: “We’re going to where the women are actually working, so we’re meeting their needs where they’re at.” The van offers a safe space for respite, providing access to food, drinks, clean supplies, and even a place to charge a phone. For some, it’s a refuge from sexual violence.
“This is often the last option that women will choose,” Tudor said. “They don’t want to be out here. If we had a better sort of system socially and economically, access to benefits, access to housing, access to health, it would be a perfect world.” Many of the women served by One25 struggle with issues like addiction and homelessness, and some may be victims of pimping or trafficking.
A National Trend and Legal Debate
The increased demand for services like One25’s is mirrored elsewhere in the country. At Changing Lives in Merseyside, support workers have observed a dramatic rise in online advertisements for sex work – from approximately 180 ads a year ago to 1,400 today, according to manager Sarah Clarke.
This surge in numbers is fueling a renewed debate about the legal framework surrounding sex work. While the selling of sexual services is not illegal in the UK, soliciting in public and operating a brothel are criminal offenses. Sex workers can face fines and cautions that remain on their record for life.
Some campaigners, including current and former Labour MPs, advocate for removing sanctions against sex workers while simultaneously criminalizing the purchase of sex – a model adopted in Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Baroness Thangam Debbonaire, a former Labour MP for Bristol West, argued, “We have to legislate in a way that protects the largest number of people from the largest amount of harm.” She expressed concern that existing laws leave sex workers vulnerable to criminalization and in unsafe situations.
Voices from the Industry
However, not all agree with this approach. Audrey, a sex worker in Bristol, believes that targeting buyers would only drive the industry further underground, increasing risks for those involved. She advocates for the decriminalization of both buying and selling sex, stating, “The laws around sex work need to change. It needs to be decriminalised so sex workers are able to organise for our own safety.” She cited the example of providing safe transportation to appointments, an act that currently carries legal risk.
The Home Office has stated it is funding a national law enforcement hub to combat sexual exploitation and is “currently considering options on how we can best support those impacted by prostitution and sexual exploitation.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How many women are currently involved in sex work in Bristol?
As many as 140 women are estimated to be selling sex on the streets of Bristol on any given night.
What kind of support does One25 provide?
One25 offers a range of support services, including food, drinks, clean needles and underwear, a safe space to rest, and assistance escaping violence.
What is the current legal status of sex work in the UK?
The selling of sexual services is not illegal, but soliciting in public and brothel-keeping are criminal offenses. Sex workers can face fines and cautions.
As the debate continues, and demand for support services rises, the need for comprehensive and effective solutions to address the complex realities of sex work remains urgent.
