On The City Streets

"Street prostitution is an evil trade and make no mistake, prostitutes are victims. They are forced to sell sexual services by their controllers or pimps. These guys are the criminals. They manipulate their girls and coerce them into providing sexual acts through abuse, threats, forced dependence on drugs and physical violence. This often takes the form of repeated rapes by one or more people to create submission. They also restrict the victims movements and prevent communication with family and friends. Girls are expected to earn nightly quotas and this money is all confiscated by the pimp. This is big business and the chances of the real offenders being brought to justice are minimal.

"Pimps are well organised but much less visible and almost impossible for police to investigate. Individuals victimised by this sort of organised network will lie to police about the existence of a pimp and will present themselves as acting completely independently. Policing strategies are totally ineffective. They typically arrest prostitutes and not their clients. The prostitute will receive a heavy fine and then have to work even harder to meet their quotas and pay the fine. Add to this the fact that there are many corrupt officers taking bribes to turn a blind eye to prostitution and it is indeed a very murky world for the real victims of this sordid crime." (Steve Nielson)