About this action

Sex workers face significant health inequalities, with research showing they experience eight times higher mortality rates and multiple barriers to healthcare access. Stigma, criminalisation, and fear of judgement prevent many from disclosing their occupation or accessing timely care. Evidence from successful models like the Kirketon Road Centre iin Australia demonstrates that explicitly inclusive services dramatically improve health outcomes through building trust and removing barriers. Approaches to implementation: - Train all staff using a rights-based, harm reduction approach that recognises the diversity of sex work and sees it as work, challenging unconscious bias - Create clear confidentiality protocols that address sex workers' specific concerns about disclosure to police or social services - Develop flexible access arrangements including drop-in appointments and outreach partnerships with sex worker support organisations - Ensure holistic care that addresses physical and sexual health, mental health, substance use, and social needs without moral judgement - Display visual cues of inclusivity (such as the red umbrella symbol) and develop registration processes that don't require fixed addresses - Implement trauma-informed approaches, recognising that many sex workers have experienced violence or adverse experiences - Build partnerships with local and national specialist services, e.g. Basis Yorkshire, to provide wraparound support Key benefits: Reduces the stark health inequalities experienced by sex workers by creating genuinely accessible services, prevents crisis presentations through early intervention and trust-building, and demonstrates the practice's commitment to providing sanctuary and holistic and comprehensive care for all marginalised groups.