NCJ Number
206331
Date Published
July 2004
Length
172 pages
Annotation
This report presents key findings and recommendations from an evaluation of Great Britain's project entitled, "The Crime and Disorder Associated With Prostitution Initiative," which consisted of 11 multiagency pilot projects created to address street-based prostitution; the projects were funded under the Home Office's Crime Reduction Programme (CRP).
Abstract
The 11 projects were divided into 3 categories according to their main intervention targets, which included protecting young people, policing and enforcement, and support and "exiting." The methodologies and findings for the evaluations of each of these three types of programs are presented in this report. All projects were evaluated by using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods within a "realistic" and action-oriented approach. For most of the projects, this included the collection of input (cost) and output data, aggregate crime data, community-impact surveys, interviews with project workers and staff from other key agencies, interviews with women or youth involved in prostitution, interviews with key members of the community, and the analysis of project and other documentation that pertained to the local contexts. Case studies of women involved in prostitution were also compiled. The evaluators observed project meetings, accompanied police in their enforcement activities that pertained to prostitutes, visited drop-in centers for prostitutes, and accompanied outreach workers. The evaluations' key findings pertain to enforcement and community liaison, diversion and prevention, support to women and youth involved in prostitution, and a model of needs and support. Regarding the model of needs and support, it was possible to construct a model that involves the stages of vulnerability, chaos, stabilization, and existing/"moving on." The findings indicate that the process of moving toward exiting and then actually quitting prostitution is a long, complex, and nonlinear process that requires appropriate multiagency support at appropriate times. The movement from "chaos" to "stabilization" is particularly important, often precipitated by crises or "turning points" experienced by individual prostitutes. It is particularly important that appropriate support and services be accessible and relevant at the time these critical junctures occur. Follow-up and supportive/reinforcement services must be provided after women and youth leave prostitution to ensure that assistance is available to facilitate the transition to new employment and a new lifestyle. Multiagency partnerships that involve both statutory and nonstatutory organizations should continue to be promoted through service agreements and information-sharing protocols. Areas for further research are identified. Extensive tables and figures and 143 references