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The government's new prostitution strategy: a cheap fix for drug-using sex workers?

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Sustainable Development Goals

  • SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
    SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities

Abstract

This article considers the recommendations to the government's public consultation exercise for drug-using sex workers (Home Office, 2004). It argues that the ‘problem’ of drug use by sex workers cannot be separated from wider social problems experienced by this group, especially the problem of poverty. It suggests that the new prostitution strategy conflates drug use and sex work, reducing involvement in the latter to a problem of the former. Thus, other social problems experienced by these women, particularly the problems of poverty and social exclusion, are side-stepped. By so doing, the government absolves itself of responsibility to tackle the underlying conditions that drive women and young people into prostitution and problematic drug use, leading me to argue that the new strategy offers a ‘cheap fix’ for drug-using sex workers.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 18-26

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Safer Communities (Volume 6, Issue 1)

Publication milestones

  • Published - 01/01/2007

Publication status

Published - 01/01/2007

ISSN

1757-8043

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/300062
  • Scopus: 84992963181

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