1. 'Scars Across Humanity', Elaine Storkey
Taking a much broader look at violence against women committed worldwide, this hardhitting book by well-known Christian commentator Elaine Storkey contains a number of chapters on sexual violence. Filled with statistics and stories, the book is a heavy but necessary read, and calls the church to take abuse against women seriously.
2. 'Please let me go', Caitlin Spencer
The in-depth testimony of a girl who was passed around a ring of sex traffickers, Caitlin’s story shows that commercial sexual exploitation isn’t just limited to other countries, or to immigrants to the UK. An appalling story which shows how sexual abusers are too often able to behave with impunity.
3. 'Paid for', Rachel Moran
Rachel Moran was taken into state care at age 14, soon became homeless and began her life in prostitution at age 15. For the next seven years she was subject to violence and abuse, before managing to extricate herself from it at 22. Her story exposes the emotional cost a life within the sex industry has, as she speaks openly about her struggles with self-worth and being disconnected from society.
4. 'The pimping of prostitution', Julie Bindel
Well-known secular feminist Julie Bindel takes an extended look at the sex trade in this in-depth, thoroughly researched account. For a long time, feminists have been divided as to whether the sex trade should be supported or abolished, but Bindel came to a decisive conclusion after interviewing more than 250 women across the world and exposing the lies and criminality which lies at the heart of this abusive industry.
5. 'Trafficked', The Guardian
A podcast following the story of Julia, a victim of sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Julia was a human trafficking victim from Ukraine who was forced into prostitution and was completely captive to the pimps who were part of a wider organized crime group. This four-part series follows Julia’s journey out of modern slavery to gaining independence and eventually being a part of prosecuting her captors.
This podcast shows the complexity and layers of exploitation that many working in the sex industry experience, from debt to substance abuse and emotional manipulation.
6. 'Sold: sex slaves next door', Jean Mackenzie
A BBC 2 documentary which investigates the sexual exploitation of mainly Romanian women in the UK. Journalist Jean Mackenzie travels to Romania where she meets underage girls working in the industry who may be trafficked to the UK, those who are providing support to them and the UK police, who are struggling to protect girls exploited behind closed doors across the country.
7. 'The limits of consent', The Conservative Party Human Rights Commission
A report commissioned by the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission and former Chair and MP Fiona Bruce to investigate prostitution in the UK.
The report discusses the current law and whether it is adequate to support women who have been trafficked into the industry who wish to exit. The report also outlines the debate around the criminalisation of prostitution with comparisons across Europe utilising personal, anonymised testimonies.
Azalea is a parachurch organization which works to tackle the sex trafficking industry. On an individual level, the charity provides support to both women who are being exploited by the industry, and men who visit brothels and no longer want to buy sex.
It also provides training to raise awareness of the industry amongst teenagers ‘to empower and educate all on the risks and signs of childhood sexual exploitation and UK to churches who wish to implement projects to end sex trafficking in their local area.
The ‘Encompass’ branch of the charity supports women from the point of crisis intervention to facilitating an exit from the industry. ‘Starting with Engage at Walking Outreach and Drop-in; through to Build with support for stability with housing and health; and finally Flourish to develop skills for independent living.’
9. Flint
A branch of Azalea, Flint provides confidential support to men who visit prostitutes but wish to stop purchasing sex. Through one-to-one sessions which can involve counselling and bible reading, Flint helps men to become free from purchasing sex, leading to their individual flourishing and in their relationships with those around them.
“I did genuinely want to change, I wanted to be happier…it’s just that I didn’t know how…Eventually, I stopped visiting brothels, and even porn sites too. I started to face up more to the difficulties and challenges in my life”
- Flint client
A charity which supports sexually exploited women with a focus on trafficked victims. The charity works within All Souls Serve the City, a charity commissioned by All Souls Langham Place church, and works closely with the Metropolitan police.
Tamar provides practical, emotional and spiritual support through fortnightly outreach, English lessons, assistance with paperwork, one to one bible readings, connections and connections to other local commissioned services.