Swan Partnership, East Midlands

Successful project sees crime drop by 30%

Sex Workers around Northamptonshire (SWAN) work to address the health and social inequalities experienced by women engaged in the sex industry and their families, through a multi-agency approach. In the last year, the team has helped 26 sex workers leave the industry and almost two-thirds of their clients are now in drug treatment, while crime has dropped by around 30 per cent.

The partnership consists of the police and a range of other voluntary and statutory organisations. It aims to provide safe, sustainable and supported opportunities for all sex workers, whether street based or non-street based, to exit from prostitution and improve life chances for women, children and young people affected by prostitution. The organisation also works towards improving the quality of life for the local community affected by prostitution and contributes to the reduction of crime caused by illegal drugs in this disadvantaged area.

SWAN offers a range of services including outreach services, drug treatment and support; help with accessing housing and benefits, support with criminal justice issues and support with the police and victim support. Forming close bonds with the women, team-members attend births and children's birthday parties, and accompany their clients to hospital in emergencies and to internal police examinations after assaults.

Swan has been recognised by the Home Office as an example of national good practice, was awarded a Health Service Journal Award in 2003, and was recently short listed nationally for Partnership of the Year, by the National Criminal Justice Awards, 2007.

For more info call 01604 633213 or text 07745 036773
Email: swan@northants.nhs.uk