 Prostitution
There
is an overall strategic aim to remove street prostitution
from Ipswich.
The
strategy seeks to address the concerns of the local communities
affected by street prostitution with regard to nuisance,
disruption, anti-social behaviour and safety concerns.
The
activities of kerb crawlers, and men who approach the women
on foot, are also high priorities for preventative action
due to the very real concerns expressed by the local community.
Street prostitution in Ipswich has a unique profile, involving
individuals that are predominantly women. The vulnerability
of these individuals has been brought sharply into focus
following the recent murders in the town and surrounding
area.
The
significant challenge facing partner agencies is the complex
and enduring needs of each of the individuals involved in
this activity. Due to this complexity the strategy is
a
long-term document covering the period 2007 - 2012
(pdf file).
(Updated action plan).
The key objectives must be to ensure that individuals do
not become involved in street prostitution in the first
instance. If they do then we need to make sure that opportunities
are created for them to leave street prostitution and engage
in less harmful lifestyles thus improving their quality
of life and that of the surrounding communities. There are
five key areas contained within the strategy.
-
Identifying
the Problem:
- improving our understanding of the key issues, the
extent of the problem, the impact on the local community
and the motives behind those involved in prostitution.
This will help to focus, prioritise and allocate resources
and finances where they are needed most and ensuring that
the situation is continually monitored.
In Pieces: A Review of
Prostitution, Community Safety Issues and Good Practice
(pdf
file)
-
Developing
Routes Out:
- by offering multi-agency case conferences
for each individual involved in street prostitution, ensuring
that drug treatment programmes, health services, accommodation,
and other supportive interventions are available to those
individuals who want to change their lifestyles and leave
street prostitution.
-
Tackling
Demand: -
responding to community concerns by deterring
those who create the demand and removing the opportunity
for street prostitution to take place. By utilising and
exploiting all available technology for example Closed
Circuit Television (CCTV) and Automatic Number Plate Recognition
(ANPR), to provide the police and their partners with
the intelligence to support their aims.
-
Prevention:
- Awareness raising and early intervention measures to
stop individuals, particularly children and young people,
from becoming involved in prostitution.
-
Community
Intelligence: - to respond appropriately to the needs
of the communities affected, by keeping them informed
of our activities. By listening to their concerns we will
ensure the environment is kept clean, safe and designed
in such a way to deter and prevent street prostitution.
Historical
documents
Barnardos Research
Assessment
of Provision for Sex workers 2004
Curbside Booklet
Website links
Further reading
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