UK Network of Sex Work Projects (UKNSWP) is an umbrella organisation that represents sex work projects in the UK,[1] both agencies or individuals working with sex workers.[2] It facilitates networking between those it represents, so as to share good practice about providing quality support services for sex workers.[3] It is a charity based in Manchester.
In July 2012 UKNSWP launched the National Ugly Mugs (NUM) scheme, a third party reporting system for sex workers that issues alerts to sex workers via their smartphone, and feeds intelligence to police, aiming to reduce offending by dangerous serial sexual offenders.[1]
It was one of five winners of the Guardian Charity Awards 2014.[1]
Mission statement
editUKNSWP's website states:
"The UK Network of Sex Work Projects (UKNSWP) is a non-profit, voluntary association of agencies & individuals working with sex workers.
"To promote the health, safety, civil and human rights of sex workers, including their rights to live free from violence, intimidation, coercion or exploitation, to engage in the work as safely as possible, and to receive high quality health and other services in conditions of trust and confidentiality, without discrimination on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, disability, race, culture or religion."
The UKNSWP recognises and supports, the rights of individual sex workers to self-determination. This includes the right to remain in sex work or leave sex work."[4]
National Ugly Mugs (NUM)
editUKNSWP runs National Ugly Mugs (NUM), a third party reporting system for sex workers that issues alerts to sex workers via their smartphone, and feeds intelligence to police, aiming to reduce offending by dangerous serial sexual offenders.[1][5][6][7][8]
The National Ugly Mugs (NUM) Pilot Scheme was announced by the UK government in December 2011, with £108,000 provided by the Home Office "to establish a national online network to collate and distribute information between 'Ugly Mugs' schemes in local areas."[9] Though funded by the Home Office, it is managed independently by UKNSWP.[6][10] The initial pilot scheme went live in Manchester on 6 July 2012[11] and by 2016 was undergoing a larger pilot in London.[8]
Award
edit- 2014: One of five winners of the Guardian Charity Awards 2014, from The Guardian[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e Howard, Emma (2 December 2014). "Charity Awards 2014 winners". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ "Sex workers and human trafficking helplines". ITV (TV channel). Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ "About". UK Network of Sex Work Projects. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ "Our Mission Statement". UK Network of Sex Work Projects. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ "Guardian Charity Award winner 2014: The UK Network of Sex Work Projects – video". The Guardian. London. 2 December 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ a b Feis-Bryce, Alex (14 August 2012). "National Ugly Mugs Scheme - Protecting Sex Workers From Predators". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ Wiley, Clare (15 December 2014). "This New App Could Help UK Sex Workers Get Revenge On the Pricks Who Abuse Them". Vice. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ a b Speed, Barbara (4 January 2016). "Sex work apps are about more than advertising – they can keep workers safe". New Statesman. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ "Pilot to improve safety of workers". Government of the United Kingdom. 17 December 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ "London has 'most crimes against sex workers', report finds". BBC News. 12 August 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ Taylor, Diane (5 July 2012). "Sex workers and police join forces to create rapist database". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 17 November 2016.