Sex Work Research Wales (SWRW)
A four year research project to map the sex industry in Wales
SWRW is a four year research project funded by the BIG Lottery research programme.
'to enable VCS organisations to produce and disseminate evidence-based knowledge, to influence local and national policy and practice and, in the longer term, develop better services and interventions for beneficiaries. In doing so the programme would develop VCS capacity to engage with, use and do research.'
The project will map sex work in Wales through a variety of mediums. The aims of the research are to influence policy development and practice, to keep sex workers safe and to assist those wishing to exit sex work. The project will use a participatory action research approach aiming to empower sex workers and community members by involving them fully in the research, helping them develop solutions to bring about positive change and improve community cohesion.
To find out more, download our publicity leaflet (pdf) here or please contact us here
Project updates will be published and disseminated regularly, if you wish to be added to our mailing list please leave your details here
All media contact should be made directly to Gill Hurley at Gibran UK.
View our Media notice PDF.
Louise Clark - Associate
Read Louise's biography
Louise Clark is currently a Development Worker with Clinks, a voluntary sector infrastructure organisation supporting projects working with offenders and their families, with a lead on women offenders in the South West of England. Her career includes co-managing a Bristol pilot project to divert women offenders from custody in line with Baroness Corston's recommendations; developing and managing the Sex Workers in Prison project (SWIP) to raise prison staff awareness of sex workers' support needs; and co-ordinating support services in a women's prison for 4 years. She has contributed to the production of groundbreaking resources: 'The Pain Inside' book for women in prison who self-injure and 'Going Home' a resettlement DVD for Welsh Women.
She has developed and delivered numerous new initiatives for socially excluded groups in the Southwest, for asylum seekers, refugees, young mothers, care leavers and teenage homeless, as well as work on commissioning strategies between the public and third sector.
She is a member of the UK Network of Sex Work Projects Policy Committee, Howard League for Penal Reform, BACP Criminal Justice forum, an associate of Gibran offenders) and is a volunteer outreach worker with a sex worker project in Bristol.
Publications
May 2010: 'Sex Workers in Prison: Perceptions, Training and Provision' Prison Service Journal (#189)
April 2007: Sex Workers In Prison Project Evaluation Report (Launched by Baroness Corston)
March 2007: 'Street Sex Workers' Experience of Accessing Health Services' A report for the Department of Health
October 2006: 'Provision of Support for Imprisoned Adult Female Street-based Sex Workers'
Research Paper Mannheim Centre for the Study of Criminology & Criminal Justice, LSE
Papers
September 2009
'Sex Workers In Prison and Harm Minimisation'
Crime & Justice Research Network Seminar, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
'Sex Workers In Prison'
Sisters Inside International Conference, Brisbane, Australia
Emma Harris - Mentor Manager/Researcher
Read Emma's biography
Emma Harris. Project Lead Gibran UK
- MSc Forensic Psychology, Surrey
- BSc Psychology, Swansea
Emma is a graduate of Swansea University and the University of Surrey, Guildford. Since graduating Emma has worked for the prison service internally evaluating the European funded project 'Jackpot'.
Emma joined Gibran in 2008 to assist delivering the BIG Lottery funded project 'Going Home' that supports women ex-offenders. Emma has successfully helped design and deliver the Going Home project, and has developed the 'Peer Mentor Model' that is now an integral part of the service.
Through her work with Going Home Emma identified a gap in service and knowledge in Wales for women involved in the field of sex work that led to the development of the 'Sex work Research Wales' Project.
Publications
http://www.cjf.bacp.co.uk/abrushwiththelaw.php
Cowley, J., & Harris, E. (2010). 'A Brush with the Law. Association for University and College Counselling. March, 2010
Sagar, T. Harris, E. and Jones, D. (awaiting publication on Safer Capital website), Community Perceptions of Street Sex Work in Cardiff.