sexual exploitation

“I Have A Dream… If MLK could see us now” by Jes Richardson

January 20, 2014 // 3 Comments

"What would Martin Luther King Jr. think of the abolition movement today? What would he think of the movement that uses his name? If he was alive today, I believe he would call out the bitterness and hate. He would call out the injustice of the people. He would speak against the movement that silences the voices from within the sex industry..."

Criminalising Clients Puts People Working On-Street in Greater Danger and Forced ‘Exiting’ Does Not Work

January 20, 2014 // 17 Comments

Since reading of the murder of Mariana Popa, a 24-year-old Romanian woman working on-street in Ilford Lane in October 2013, I have thought about her often. Her death occurred just as police embarked on a hard line 'cleaning up the streets' approach to prostitution named Operation Clearlight.

BBC1 Inside Out: The Merseyside Hate Crime Model of Policing Prostitution – Monday 21 Oct, 7.30pm

October 19, 2013 // 12 Comments

The Merseyside hate crime model of policing prostitution leads the country. In these two documentaries for Inside Out, airing on BBC1 in the London and North West regions, writer Ruth Jacobs investigates why crimes against sex trade workers are going unpunished, clearly showing the urgency for the Merseyside model to be made UK wide to prevent more rapes and save lives, taking more rapists and murderers off the streets.

Ruth Jacobs Speaks on Social Networks: The Good, The Bad and The Horrifying

October 8, 2013 // 5 Comments

What was your most astonishing experience on a social network? The most horrific was discovering what was very obviously a large interconnected group of child sex abusers on Facebook. Being aware of Facebook’s inadequate policies and procedures, I reported this to law enforcement instead – the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) in the UK…

In the Booth with Ruth – Sherry Dooley, Artist & Survivor of Prostitution

September 2, 2013 // 10 Comments

I paint emotion through the face of women – and mostly just the face... I suppose I’m drawn to painting women in deep reflection, because I tend to spend most of my time in my head. Always thinking, rehashing, wondering and pondering – my mind never receives a break.

My most in depth article arguing for the Merseyside model to be made UK wide | The F-Word

August 22, 2013 // 15 Comments

The stigma against people in the sex trade cannot be denied. They suffer undeservedly because of that stigma at the hands of the police, and also at the hands of criminals who view them as 'easy targets'. As a stigmatised and vulnerable group, crimes against them are unequivocally hate crimes.

Trista Hendren, Co-Founder of Rapebook, Discusses Facebook’s Issue of Child Sex Abuse Images and Human Trafficking

August 14, 2013 // 13 Comments

I do not believe Facebook has done nearly enough... They must have a zero tolerance policy on images of child sex abuse and human trafficking... Facebook does not have to be a platform for rapists, pedophiles, men who beat up and kill women or other criminals. The way I see things now, Facebook is no better than a hotel owner who rents out a room to a creepy man with a half-naked child and listens to her scream while he counts his money.

Victim-centred: The Merseyside Model – Ruth Jacobs interviewed on Policing Today (Part 2)

August 8, 2013 // 12 Comments

In the second part of an exclusive Policing Today interview, author and human rights campaigner Ruth Jacobs talks about human trafficking and the urgent changes needed to the criminal justice system’s attitude towards victims of sexual crime.

From Prostitution to Art – Artist Sherry Dooley’s powerful and moving life story

August 8, 2013 // 12 Comments

Being gang raped by knife-point wasn’t one of the highlights of being manipulated into the lifestyle... Having the Portland Police look me straight in the eye, as I stood before them, bloodied, beaten, and with my breast exposed, and tell me that no crime had been committed because I was a prostitute was just another blow.

Founder of Once Upon An Eden and survivor of extreme child abuse, Michelle Carmela, gives her opinion on Facebook’s issue of child sex abuse images

August 2, 2013 // 19 Comments

I can understand Facebook wanting to protect freedom of speech. I can understand the company at times feels like their hands are tied. However, when children are seen being violated and exploited, it is essential Facebook remove these images. They must use common sense and seek to promote safety...

Child trafficking survivor & advocate, David Zimmerman, speaks out about child sex abuse images on Facebook

July 13, 2013 // 10 Comments

Facebook could start by including better options for reporting violations of policy and criminal activity. There could be direct links to appropriate agencies for the range of crimes committed online, from child sexual abuse images and trafficking to cyber stalking and bullying. Facebook could employ a moderator system that allows faster detection and timely responses. There could be an active law enforcement presence...

Staying Safe: The Merseyside Model – Ruth Jacobs interviewed on Policing Today (Part 1)

July 10, 2013 // 7 Comments

In the first part of an exclusive interview, Policing Today talks to author and campaigner Ruth Jacobs about the efforts being made by the Service to keep sex workers safe in Merseyside, and why violence against those in prostitution should be viewed as a hate crime.

The Merseyside Model Saves Lives – so why is it not being rolled out nationally? | Impolite Conversation

July 8, 2013 // 13 Comments

Not making the hate crime approach the national standard for people in prostitution is a hate crime in itself while women are being beaten, raped and murdered as the state looks the other way... If a particular policing approach was known to be achieving a 67% conviction rate for those who rape people in society in general, and yet it was only being used in one part of the country, there would be public uproar.

In the Booth with Ruth – Linda Sullivan, Executive Director/President of B.E.S.T. & Master Certified Coach for Victims of Human Trafficking

May 1, 2013 // 6 Comments

I have been working in this field since I was a young volunteer myself, for over 25 years. I have been an advocate for at risk populations over my lifetime and became passionate about the subject of human trafficking when I first assisted a victim. I studied social sciences in Manhattan at the New School University and became well-versed in cross cultural human rights issues. My studies at the New School University opened the doors for studies in comparative religions and anthropology and tribal studies. My work, studies and volunteer efforts kept me drawn to human rights and human trafficking issues.