Brown, Kate orcid.org/0000-0002-4391-756X, Grace, Sharon orcid.org/0000-0002-3499-3210 and Redman, Scarlett (2024) Policing Vulnerability:The care and control of sex workers through designated police officers. British Journal of Criminology. azae026. ISSN 0007-0955
Abstract
The state’s duty to protect vulnerable people gives rise to powerful forms of social intervention, especially in policing. This paper reports from co-produced multimethods research focussed on one form of policing vulnerability within an English police force; the role of a specialist Sex Work Liaison Officer (SWLO). Findings highlight that an enhanced focus on vulnerability through the role was highly valued by sex workers; building trust and improving investigations of crimes against sex workers. However, social control was the defining parameter for the intervention, with different implications across the diversity of the sex industry. Drawing on Gilson’s (2021) intersectional feminist philosophy work, we situate findings within critical attention to policing vulnerability, arguing the embedding of vulnerability within governance apparatus orientated to social control must be met with vigilance if it is to be progressive rather than reactionary.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © The Author(s) 2024 |
Keywords: | Vulnerability,sex work,policing,Social control,harm reduction,justice |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Social Sciences (York) > Social Policy and Social Work (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 11 Apr 2024 09:20 |
Last Modified: | 16 Oct 2024 19:52 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azae026 |
Status: | Published online |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1093/bjc/azae026 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:211403 |
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Filename: azae026.pdf
Description: aPolicing Vulnerability: The Care and Control of Sex Workers Through Designated Police Officers
Licence: CC-BY 2.5