Living and Working in Areas of Street Sex Work From Conflict to Coexistence

There has been considerable recent policy debate on street sex work in local neighbourhoods. This report examines how residential areas characterised as areas of female street sex work are shared by different sections of the community. Neighbourhood and policy responses to street sex work are also considered. The report draws on research with sex workers, residents and agency staff in five case study areas in England and Scotland. It considers community responses to street sex work and the varying degrees of tolerance and engagement. Exploring whether residential streets can serve as shared spaces where residents and sex workers may coexists, the authors reflect on the scope for improving relations through initiatives such as consultation, mediation and awareness raising. Living and working in areas of street sex work considers both the effectiveness of responses, such as enforcement and the use of antisocial behaviour legislation, and the need for integrated initiatives to address community conflicts and management of the street scene.