Claire Lambert

Street prostitutes typically need help if they are to quit prostitution. They often need drug and alcohol treatment, mental health treatment, transitional housing, case management, peer support/mentoring, child care, job training, health care, confidential HIV testing, psychological counseling, transportation, self-defense training, legal aid, and employment assistance.

Some communities offer a service-and-support network through either precharge or postcharge diversion programs, and some even offer these programs on the street, with no formal connection to the criminal justice system. Although these programs do not necessarily persuade many prostitutes to quit, they seem essential for those who are motivated to do so, and they can be effective in reducing some of the risks to street prostitutes, such as sexually transmitted disease and assault.

Many street prostitutes receive government aid in one form or another (e.g., for housing, dependent children, unemployment insurance, and/or disability), but would not qualify for such if they reported their prostitution income. You might share arrest and intelligence information with government agencies providing the aid. The threat of losing government aid might compel some prostitutes to quit. For this approach to be viable, adequate social services must be available to help them do so. You should take care not to unduly harm any dependent children.