Policing Violence Against Sex Workers in Gwent (South Wales, UK); Examining Police and Sex Worker Perspectives on Trust and Legitimacy.

• In Event: Policing and sex crimes

Abstract

There are long established challenges that relate to how sex workers interact with the police; among them, a reluctance to report experiences of victimization (Struyf 2022), a lack of trust and confidence in the police (Krusi et al 2016), and concerns about investigative strategies, criminal justice outcomes, safeguarding and the identification/management of risk. In 2024, Gwent Police (South Wales, UK), entered into a research partnership with the University of the West of England and Cyfannol (Women’s Aid). With support from the Police STAR fund, the project was set up to evaluate policing responses to incidents of sexual violence reported to the police by sex workers and sexually exploited adults (SEA) in Gwent. In bringing together partners from policing, Women’s Aid (Cyfannol) and academia, the project examines investigative approaches, community dynamics and processes of risk identification and management. Drawing on interviews conducted with both police officers and sex workers/SEA’s in the spring/summer of 2024, this paper will present preliminary findings relating to two of the project’s central questions regarding the nature of the relationship between sex workers/SEAs and the police, and the barriers that inhibit the reporting and investigation of violent offences committed against them. The findings will be discussed in the context of the broader aims and scope of this innovative research partnership which will run to Spring 2025.

Authors

• Duncan McPhee, University of the West of England

• Jane Nolan, University of the West of England