Sex workers: New liaison measures introduced by PSNI

The PSNI has said it recognises a large number of crimes against sex workers go unreported

New measures for liaising with sex workers have been introduced by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)

They include a dedicated email address which allows sex workers to contact police.

It comes after a meeting last week between representative groups and the PSNI.

Sex work liaison officers were first introduced by the PSNI in 2015.

Kate McGrew, current sex worker and director of the Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI), said the meeting had been "constructive".

"This meeting provided an important opportunity for sex workers to provide feedback to the PSNI and for everyone present to recommit to working in partnership on an ongoing basis," she said.

She added that while full details of the meeting will not be publicised due to issues around privacy, SWAI was pleased "the PSNI want to listen to and support sex workers".

As part of the initiative, three new police officers dedicated to liaising with sex workers have been appointed, with a total of five.

There is also a specialised operational lead officer as part of the team.

The Nordic model

A report published last September found a change in prostitution law in Northern Ireland had not seen the industry become smaller.

It was produced by academics from Queen's University Belfast and examined the impact of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation Act 2015.

The law introduced the "Nordic model", which criminalised paying for sexual services in Northern Ireland.

The report, based on research which examined a period between June 2015 and December 2018, also found an increase in online advertising for prostitution.