In the midst of all the Christmas celebrations, A Way Out have another significant date in our diaries, as December 17th is International End Violence Against Sex Workers Day, a day that we come together as an organisation to highlight at remember.
Together alongside our partners, clients and volunteers we remember the impact of violence, abuse and harm that so many of the women we work with across Teesside face on a daily basis. Many of the women A Way Out support struggle with addictions, and breaking cycles of poverty and abuse, alongside dealing with the crippling impact of trauma.
We remember these local women, who have been assaulted, and even murdered, and raise awareness of the violence that many sex workers are facing. These women are a part of our communities. They are mothers, daughters, sisters, nieces, friends. Their lives are important and have value and they are not defined by selling sex.
As an organisation, we believe that all our clients should be able to live the life they choose, free from harm. Although we have many services, our Liberty Project works specifically with women who sell on street sex as a form of survival.
With a dedicated team of project workers, our Liberty Project delivers a trauma informed harm reduction service for adult women, and this also includes a specialist Adult Sexual Exploitation Worker.
Our project is unique in its approach as we provide an outreach service which meets our clients directly where they are at, with a non-judgemental approach, offering support. These interactions lead to many women accessing further help from our services including areas such as homelessness, substance misuse, sexual health, social isolation and health inequalities.
If you would like to find out more about our Liberty Project or any of our other projects, please contact info@awayout.co.uk .
Written by Hannah Aspland