Social Policy and Society

Table of Contents - October 2012 - Volume 11, Issue 04  

Articles

New Localism: Implications for the Governance of Street Sex Work in England and Wales

Tracey Sagara1 and Jodie Croxalla2

a1 Centre for Criminology and Criminal Justice, Swansea University E-mail: T.Sagar@swansea.ac.uk

a2 Centre for Innovative Ageing, Swansea University E-mail: J.Croxall@swansea.ac.uk

Abstract

This article focuses on the escalating shift in power from the centre to ‘community’ with specific regard to the local governance of street sex work. With reference to reforms in local governance and sex work policy, we question what localism may mean for street sex workers as both vulnerable members of the community and also anti-social subjects. Our critical examination suggests that street sex workers are susceptible to increasing marginalisation and social exclusion. To counter this, it is argued that there needs to be greater attention and investment towards improving community cohesion and democracy for ‘all’ within the localist agenda.

Keywords:

  • Decentralisation;
  • community empowerment;
  • sex work;
  • social cohesion