Getting out of the business is very possible, but it is also a very challenging road.  Read about one Northampton, UK working girl’s personal odyssey at The BBC News…

From prostitute to legal secretary
By Jane Elliott

Just over a year ago Jo was a prostitute in Northampton.

She faced daily abuse and violence and had been badly beaten by customers.

Her four children had all been taken away from her and she was addicted to crack cocaine after seven years of selling sex.

Today she is finally free of drugs, off the streets and due to start a course to train as a legal secretary.

Off the street

She credits her change in fortune to local organisation Sex Workers Around Northampton (Swan), which aims to get female sex workers off the street.

In the past five years, Swan – funded by several partners, including Northamptonshire County Council, the primary care trust and drug support groups – has encouraged between 120 to 150 women like Jo to give up prostitution.

“I started working on the streets in my 20s and I am in my mid-30s now,” said Jo.

“I used to see the Swan team giving out condoms and used to speak to them.

“It was getting very dangerous on the streets and I had been attacked a few times. I got a broken jaw and broken heel in attacks and there came a time when enough was enough.