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Sex Industry Service

Services to women involved in prostitution – Quay Services.




Drugs Action has been providing a range of services to women involved in prostitution for over fourteen years. The aims of Quay Services is to reduce the immediate harms associated with prostitution and also to provide appropriate support to women who want to make significant changes to their lives.

 

Drugs Action recognises that many women involved in street prostitution are highly vulnerable, are exposed to violence on a regular basis and often have a range of long term, inter-related problems.  Services provided focus on building strong, trusting relationships with women  and interventions are tailored to the individual needs of each woman attending the service.



Quay services provides:
 

  • Chlamydia testing service
  • Condoms and lube
  • Needle exchange
  • Panic alarms
  • Advice, information and support regarding reducing the risks associated with prostitution
  • Access to the Dodgy Punters Scheme
  • Pregnancy testing kits
  • Personal safety training
  • Complementary therapies
  • A key worker service to support women to address their issues of concern
  • Fast track referral to sexual health and family planning services
  • Advice, information and referrals to a range of other support services.

 

Quay Services can be accessed in the following locations:

  • On the street 4 evenings per week
  • At the drop-in, which is located in the harbour area 4 evenings per week
  • At the Drugs Action base at Hadden Street during needle exchange opening hours
  • The key worker service is provided at a range of locations most suited to women using the service.


Whilst brief interventions such as condom provision, panic alarms, needle exchange and advice and information are provided on the street and at the Hadden Street base,  the drop-in service also provides access to the Dodgy Punters Scheme, where women can find out about any potentially dangerous men who may be in the area.  The drop-in also provides opportunities for women to participate in self-esteem raising activities such as arts and crafts, as well as providing tea, coffees and snacks.

 

Staff who work in the drop-in are also available to provide follow-up support to women who want to address problems in their lives.  This often includes a care-planning approach where a key worker is provided to work with a woman on a more structured basis to help her address long term goals.  This often involves the provision of counselling to address low self esteem/self confidence as well as other underlying issues of concern.  In addition, practical support and advocacy is provided to ensure women have better access to other services such as primary care, prescribing, sexual health, mental health and a range of social services. 

 


“Thanks for giving your effort and time to us working girls by opening  the drop-in at such a late hour and by driving round in the evening making sure we’re well protected by handing out condoms, alarms and clean tackle. I really appreciate yous making sure we are safe. Thank you all very much for helping us and for seeing more to us than our drugs and work.”

Quote from a service user, Mandy aged 27.


Quay Services is funded by NHS Grampian, the Scottish Executive Violence Against Women Fund, Aberdeenshire Council, the Health Improvement Fund and the Healthy Living Network.