Dear readers, 

Nine months ago we launched CSE Aware and the first issues of this bulletin. Since then, we have explored four topics related to the needs of women who sell or exchange sex, had over 600 people join our webinars and we are preparing new topics and more exciting things for 2023!

In this issue we want to go back and take you through everything we have shared this year: in-depth articles, interviews, events and reports. We encourage you to continue using our resources (they are for you!) and to share them with people in your team, your organisation, your networks and beyond.

Finally, we would also like to say THANK YOU for being part of CSE Aware and for your commitment to improve responses to women involved in selling or exchanging sex. We hope you continue to join us on this journey!

Until next year,

The CSE Aware Resource Worker

Housing is a pressing issue in the lives of women who sell or exchange sex, particularly during COVID and the Cost of Living crisis. It can push women into getting involved, remain an issue whilst involved and prevent them from stopping selling or exchanging sex. It can also bring them back into the 'sex industry.' Workers from all services must be aware of the impact of housing. Read on to find out the main housing issues for women involved in selling or exchanging sex.

How are women's cycles of abuse and trauma interlinked with the cycle of homelessness? And what is the connection to selling or exchanging sex? Read our interview with SAY Women to find out.

The risks that women face when selling or exchanging sex and the trauma they may carry can impact on their needs, the level of support required and whether they access support. Read on to find out the issues affecting the safety of women who sell or exchange sex.

Safety is a crucial consideration for women involved in selling or exchanging sex. We spoke to Zara from Another Way, about how her service approaches supporting women involved in different contexts: on the streets, in saunas and online.

In this article, we explore some of the ways in which selling and exchanging sex can impact on women’s mental health, the barriers that prevent them from engaging with mental health support, and the ways in which workers in any service can support women's mental wellbeing.

We interviewed Angela Voulgari, a trained psychotherapist and VAWG expert, who during the pandemic helped to run a pilot project offering women involved in selling or exchanging sex free and flexible counselling sessions. Here she shares the learnings from the project.

In this article, we consider the five principles of trauma-informed practice and explore how responses from services can positively and negatively impact women selling or exchanging sex who approach them.

For this edition, we interviewed Alison Scott, a consultant gynaecologist at the WISHES clinic and Head of Student Wellbeing Services at the University of Edinburgh’s medical school. She shared how she uses trauma-informed practice to make the services more accessible for women who sell or exchange sex.

This 2023 our CSE Aware will continue with more resources, events and training exploring more of the themes that women who sell or exchange sex have identified as central to their lives, as well as other emerging themes:

• 24 January - Commercial Sexual Exploitation: An introductory session. Register for free here.
• 1 February - On the Edge: vulnerability, women and the Cost of Living crisis (co-delivered with the Women's Support Project team). To register, send an email to enquiries@womenssupportproject.org.uk
• 1 March - Substance use and women who sell or exchange sex
• 26 April - Sexual health and women who sell or exchange sex.

We will send out advance notice once registrations open or keep an eye on our Upcoming Events page. You can also check our list of bespoke training if you are interested in organising a session for your team or service.