FJA 2019 / Shortlist 

Category: Contribution to Civil Rights

 

Author: Ellena Cruse (United Kingdom)

A series of articles 

“Meet the Sex Workers of Ilford Lane” 

August 17, 2018
Ilford Recorder

As she showed me photos of her little boy you could almost believe she was happy.
But as soon as she put away pictures of her cherubic son, with tufts of brown curls, her face transformed into a blank canvas- despite the layers of lipstick and foundation.
I was standing in a harshly lit alley way in the back end of Ilford, sharing toddler stories with a sex worker.
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'Prostitute Tripadvisor': Campaign to close down website in which punters rate and review Ilford, Goodmayes and South Woodford sex workers

October 3, 2018
Ilford Recorder

With comments such as "house is on a quiet street of Cranbrook Road" and "interior is nicely done" I could almost be reading the review section of Airbnb.
But as my cursor scrolls down the page, it becomes abundantly clear with every click, that the subject of the feedback is of a somewhat more insalubrious nature.

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Redbridge first borough in the UK to fine people for sleeping with prostitutes and it has brought about 22 prosecutions since scheme was launched three weeks ago

September 25, 2018
Ilford Recorder

If you thought those little yellow tickets were just used for parking fines, think again.
Redbridge is the first borough in the country to issue fines for sleeping with a prostitute after a historic problem with sex workers in Ilford Lane. Three weeks since the launch of the Prostitution Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) police officers have issue 22 prosecutions, 81 dispersal notices, 14 prostitute cautions and eight arrests.
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'Sex workers die as a result of ineffective policy': Campaign group slams Redbridge Council's punter fine

October 1, 2018
Ilford Recorder

The policy of fining punters who engage in sexual activity with prostitutes has been slammed by a campaign group.
Redbridge Council is the first borough in the UK to allow police and enforcement officers to issue on the spot penalties for soliciting sex on the streets.
Organisation National Ugly Mugs (NUM), whose mission is to end violence against sex workers said the tactic will ultimately hurt these already vulnerable women.
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Longer read: Sun, sandals and sexual exploitation? Children groomed in Valentines Park, Ilford, during school holidays

November 29, 2018
Ilford Recorder

As summers go, Redbridge was blessed with a good one.
Sunseekers in their droves lazed about in Valentines Park hoping to soak up some rays while the heatwave lasted. For the majority of residents, those care-free days have been reduced to a
golden-tinged montage. But for a group of young people who were groomed and made to perform sexual acts within the gates of the park, the summer of 2018 changed their lives forever.
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School children groomed with gifts for sex in Ilford, police confirm

November 29, 2018
Ilford Recorder

Children have been performing sexual favours in return for new trainers, gifts and alcohol, Ilford police confirm.
Around 100 Met officers along with outreach workers and immigration officials descended on Ilford town centre last week to disrupt criminal activity and raise awareness about sexual exploitation.
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