Training into practice: Safety planning with women involved in selling sex – a conversation with Turning Point Scotland

Safety planning is a key consideration for women involved in selling or exchanging sex, and frontline workers can play a role in supporting women to consider various safety strategies. For the past three years, CSE Aware has been offering a training session on safety planning for women affected by commercial sexual exploitation (CSE). To reflect on how frontline practitioners use and adapt the information, we connected with Lynne Henderson who took part in one of training sessions.  

Lynne is a Lead Practitioner at Turning Point Scotland, Housing First Consortium. She supports vulnerable individuals with complex needs, helping them to manage tenancy and achieving their goals. In this conversation, she shares how the vulnerabilities that women experience can enable their entry into CSE. She also shares how, after attending the CSE Aware training session, she has facilitated a conversation on safety with a supported woman.  

What is the connection between commercial sexual exploitation and the issues that your clients face? 
To start, it’s important to note that we support a wide range of individuals – people who have been homeless or in prison, as well as those who are fleeing violence.  
As for the link to CSE, I have observed that it more commonly affects women who are lonely and use substances. It also tends to be present among women who have encountered trauma during their young adulthood and throughout their lives. It can occur due to a negative past male influence, be it family or friends. Finally, other females who sell or exchange sex can contribute to women’s involvement in CSE. 

I would like to share a specific example. I am supporting a vulnerable woman in her 40s who is selling sex on-street and in her home. I also suspect that she is exchanging alcohol for drugs. Her entry into CSE was facilitated by a couple of women who ‘recommended’ punters to her. 

She experienced significant childhood abuse and had toxic relationships with her family. Even now, she receives abusive phone calls from family members. Over the years, she was made to feel ‘wrong,’ which contributed to her feelings of isolation and low self-esteem. There have been several instances when she talked about her mother or received phone calls from her, and afterward, she spiralled into a difficult emotional state. Unfortunately, she lacks female friends or positive role models, which further contributes to her involvement in CSE. As a result, she becomes easily attached to support staff and views them as friends. 

For her, selling sex is a way to make money. She believes it is empowering, as it allows her to receive men’s attention and be in control of her situation. When clients affirm her, it gives her temporary reassurance, which helps alleviate feelings of self-hatred linked to her substance use. It allows her to feel more connected to others, yet that feeling is misplaced. True connection and empowerment begin with self-acceptance. However, because of her involvement in selling sex, she is not truly getting to know herself and is undermining the risks associated with commercial sexual exploitation. 

You attended a training session on safety strategies for women selling sex. Could you share how you have used the learnings? 
After the training, I spoke with the woman I mentioned earlier. We had built trust, but I didn’t want to be too direct when asking about her situation. One day, while we were having coffee at McDonald’s, I asked her, “In general, do you feel safe?” She didn’t consider her situation to be completely safe or unsafe; instead, she responded, “As safe as I can be.” 

I wasn’t intrusive, but using the training materials we explored if the woman had a plan in case she needed to escape her flat. I’m aware that sometimes there can be 2 to 3 men on her property, increasing her risks. We discussed the information she shared with others and whether it was possible for her to avoid disclosing her real name and specific whereabouts. At one point, the woman made a joke about having a knife. While we can laugh at certain things, I really wanted to highlight that the knife could be taken from her and used against her. We also addressed the risk of being recorded without her knowledge.  

As for the on-street setting, we watched a video shown at the training, which features two women. One woman was selling sex, while the other was looking out for her by taking down the client’s car registration number and keeping watch. We discussed safer alternatives for meeting clients, such as doing so during the day, if possible, and carrying a personal safety alarm. 

We further spoke about the online sex industry. I suggested that if she decides to enter it in the future, it may be worthwhile using the two-factor identification and not sharing personal information or images. 

I took the opportunity to ask the woman if she knew how to access services, such as Sandyford, a sexual health clinic in Glasgow. I emphasised that Turning Point and I are here to help, including with medical appointments. 

Overall, the woman was open-minded about safety tools. I am not sure if she will implement them or be able to use them in the heat of the moment; however, I brought up different strategies for her to consider. 

It’s also worth mentioning that afterwards I reflected on my professional boundaries. As workers, we can sometimes be at risk; therefore, I changed certain aspects of my practice. 

What are three tips you would share with workers supporting women in CSE? 
Firstly, be patient and work on building a trusting relationship with women. Secondly, try not to take their challenging behaviours personally. Lastly, it’s important to have personal and professional outlets. Frontline staff are often exposed to vicarious trauma, so it’s essential to counter this with self-care strategies. These may include seeing a personal therapist, talking to colleagues or a line manager, and engaging in reflective practice. ​

We would like to thank Lynne for her commitment and a proactive and creative approach in opening safety related conversations with women in CSE. If you would like to share with us how you have used CSE Aware resources, contact us here. If you are interested in attending a training session on safety strategies for women who sell sex or images – or a different subject –  our training calendar is available here.