Beyond the Streets has been working alongside and on behalf of women who sell sex for over 20 years. We began with a small number of grassroots projects who became increasingly aware of the urgent need for holistic, national and specialist support for women involved in the UK sex industry.
Our vision is to see a world where people are free from sexual exploitation, and where those in prostitution have the option to pursue genuine alternatives, free from constraints such as poverty, drug dependency, and abuses of vulnerability.
To achieve this vision we are:
Beyond the Streets is a charity inspired by Christian values. This belief inspires us to work with acceptance, value and mutual respect for all and we look to work in partnership with all those who want to work alongside women to see freedom from abuse and exploitation.
Designed to educate, agitate, organise. This is so much more than what we do – it’s the way that we do it, the feel of our services, the ambition we do it with – our hope for women globally. We proudly share it with you:
We see the possibility of life Beyond sexual exploitation.
We work tirelessly to stop the abuse.
We work to see women safe from coercion, violence and exploitation.
We see women’s lives limited by the labels placed upon them – Prostitute. Sex Worker. Client. Case. We work with her to write a different story. We see a woman. A daughter. A friend. A family member.
We want to see women not defined by their past but energised by their future.
Our work maps out possibilities with her and joins her on her journey as she walks towards the goals she sets.
We champion belief in change and a better future.
We celebrate women overcoming adversity and overcoming the barriers which would hold them back.
We recognise that we cannot do this alone.
We know that sexual exploitation happens in every community and so it takes the involvement of entire communities to tackle it together.
We work with others, hosting a national network of affiliated projects who share our commitment to the cause.
We know we are stronger together.
We want to ensure her story is heard.
We recognise her as the expert of her own experience and we make space in a noisy arena for her experience to be heard.
She knows she is not alone or misrepresented.
We know that those most in need don’t get the treatment they deserve.
We work with those on the frontline – Police, Social Workers, Health Professionals – to improve women’s experience of seeking support.
We think every woman deserves to be met with a compassionate response.
We know that the injustice we respond to is not isolated, but part of a much bigger picture –a local expression of the global injustice of violence against women that preys on the vulnerability of women in every community.
We will not stop fighting against sexual exploitation. We fight on, until every individual is free to thrive, free from sexual exploitation.
We know that in order to reduce harm and sustainably exit prostitution, people need to be respected and empowered to identify their own needs and devise their own strategies. We know that partnering and journeying with women is the most effective approach and this is the practice model we use today.
Our Christian values determine how we treat others: with respect, dignity, love and a non-judgemental attitude. As a charity we are seeking to enable those exploited by prostitution to find routes out, and look to work with those of all faiths or none to achieve this.
Co-operating
Working with individuals and other agencies in a spirit of cooperation not competition.
Learning
Positively embracing learning, change and development, we embrace new theories, models and ideas on how to partner with people affected by prostitution. We do not perpetuate the dynamic of ‘victim’ and ‘rescuer’.
Empowering
We believe that those affected by prostitution should not be treated as passive victims. They should be treated as individuals who can take control of their own life but may want some support, guidance and information to do this.
Holistic
We work holistically and aim to help the whole person; physical, mental, spiritual and social needs are all important.
Non-Discriminatory
We actively promote a non-judgmental approach; we treat everyone with respect, value and dignity regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, background, ability, culture or religious beliefs.
To enable us to continue and develop the work we do and the impact we make, we are dependent on funding received from the public and a wide range of supporters. Without them, our work would not happen.
Special thanks goes to the following supporters below – however, it does not include all our multi-year grant awardees and many smaller but essential funds given to us from other trusts and funders, individual or corporate donors, or from fundraisers. We are incredibly grateful for the positive difference their support enables too.
Alongside the income, that ensures we can support all the women that require our services and enables us to continue with our important wider work around systemic change, we also appreciate the faith shown in what we do and the quality of our delivery via every recurring contract or grant we are awarded.
Read more about our funding and finances.
If you would like to organise a fundraising event, please let us know.