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Sex worker care kits to return after success

BBC Four people, a woman with ginger hair, a man with brown hair, a woman with blonde hair and a woman with black hair are standing over a table. The table has boxes of sanitary pads, gloves, body spray and handbags. They are packing the handbags with the items.BBC
More than 170 bags were donated to the scheme over the festive period

A scheme that provided female street sex workers with care kits over the festive period has been so successful it will run again this year.

The kits are discreetly handed to women across Birmingham inside handbags donated by the public.

The scheme is run by the charity Turnaround, which supports street sex workers, and Birmingham City Council. Their recent appeal saw more than 170 bags donated.

"We go out to the women to show that we care but actually this shows that the public care as well," said Vicky Graham, the charity's director.

The bags contain hygiene items such as sanitary pads and wipes, as well as information on where they can get help and support.

Also inside are personal alarms, in case the women feel unsafe.

"The harms associated with the industry could be violence from punters, from other women involved in the industry, from drug dealers, and from people around the local areas that don't like what the women do," said Ms Graham.

Vicky Graham has a platinum blonde bob and is wearing a white jumper. She is sitting in front of a table with items across it, including wipes and hand warmers.
Vicky Graham, director of Turnaround, said the donations showed that the public care

Councillor Nicky Brennan, cabinet member for social justice, community safety and equalities, said there was a need for the project.

"We've seen it through our own sex worker needs assessment... that they need help and support," she said.

"Also we've seen it through issues with the police as well, and local residents expressing concern about the vulnerability of women... it's really important that we're doing this."

The bags are distributed via one-to-one support with the sex workers, or on walkarounds in the city.

Councillor Nicky Brennan has ginger hair with a red bow tied in the back. She is wearing a black blazer, and is sitting in front of a table. On the table are dozens of items including a pile of handbags, and a pile of wipes in packets.
Councillor Nicky Brennan said the scheme was about showing care and concern

Ms Brennan said the last known number of female street sex workers in the city was 184.

"It's really hard to tell how may there are, because they often don't trust agencies, so it can be hard to record those numbers," she said.

"This is about showing care and concern and treating people with dignity, they're very vulnerable women that need help and support.

"It is about treating them like human beings and letting them know that there is help out there for them."

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