‘Tackle drug crime before prostitution’

    Voluntary agencies, police, and youth offending and drug action
    teams need to pool knowledge to combat pimping and drug misuse.

    according to a report on prostitution and commercial sex work in
    London’s East End most female prostitutes in the area engage
    in sex to fund their drug habits and meet basic needs, such as
    accommodation, food, children’s clothes and fuel bills.

    The study, by local charities Toynbee Hall and Providence Row,
    says that tackling prostitution in the area can only be done by
    also tackling drug crime, and calls on social care agencies to work
    with the police. Crackdowns by the police succeed only in pushing
    the women into neighbouring streets, it says.

    It finds that women and girls enter the commercial sex system in
    many ways, and that early intervention with help and advice is
    required so they do not become regular commercial sex workers.

    It suggests more integrated working and an emphasis on
    prevention. Work should also be carried out with female rough
    sleepers as they are most at risk.

    – Report on the Working Party on Prostitution and Commercial
    Sex Work in E1
    from 020 7392 2939.

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