TY - JOUR

T1 - Comparative views of the public, sex workers, businesses and residents on establishing managed zones for prostitution

T2 - analysis of a consultation in Liverpool

AU - Bellis, Mark A

AU - Watson, Fay L D

AU - Hughes, Sara

AU - Cook, Penny A

AU - Downing, Jennifer

AU - Clark, Peter

AU - Thomson, Rod

PY - 2007/9

Y1 - 2007/9

N2 - Drug addiction, violence and anti-social behaviour are characteristics of street prostitution. An alternative approach to zero tolerance is establishing a managed zone where sex workers operate according to regulations and can access health services. Using a consultation with sex workers (n=50), businesses (n=51), residents (n=179) and the public (n=789) we examined where a zone might be established in a UK city (Liverpool) and characteristics of the zone required by these stakeholders. All groups believed a zone would improve sex workers' safety and reduce prostitution elsewhere. Sex workers (96%) agreed to work in a zone. Location criteria from all groups were used to identify two potential business areas to host a zone but businesses in or near these areas rejected plans through fear for staff safety and reduced business. We discuss the consultation process, difficulties in locating services for marginalised groups in cities and the implications for health and judicial policy relating to prostitution.

AB - Drug addiction, violence and anti-social behaviour are characteristics of street prostitution. An alternative approach to zero tolerance is establishing a managed zone where sex workers operate according to regulations and can access health services. Using a consultation with sex workers (n=50), businesses (n=51), residents (n=179) and the public (n=789) we examined where a zone might be established in a UK city (Liverpool) and characteristics of the zone required by these stakeholders. All groups believed a zone would improve sex workers' safety and reduce prostitution elsewhere. Sex workers (96%) agreed to work in a zone. Location criteria from all groups were used to identify two potential business areas to host a zone but businesses in or near these areas rejected plans through fear for staff safety and reduced business. We discuss the consultation process, difficulties in locating services for marginalised groups in cities and the implications for health and judicial policy relating to prostitution.

KW - Adolescent

KW - Adult

KW - Attitude to Health

KW - Commerce

KW - Community Health Planning

KW - Community Participation

KW - England

KW - Female

KW - Geography

KW - HIV Infections

KW - Humans

KW - Residence Characteristics

KW - Sex Work

KW - Social Control, Formal

KW - Substance-Related Disorders

KW - Surveys and Questionnaires

KW - Urban Health

KW - Journal Article

KW - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

U2 - 10.1016/j.healthplace.2006.08.001

DO - 10.1016/j.healthplace.2006.08.001

M3 - Article

C2 - 17029923

VL - 13

SP - 603

EP - 616

JO - Health and Place

JF - Health and Place

SN - 1353-8292

IS - 3

ER -