Changing Lives Red Umbrella

The Red Umbrella project supports people involved in sex work, selling sex and/or experiencing sexual exploitation to combat instances of violence and crimes against them and bring perpetrators to justice.

Merseyside is the only police force in the world to treat violence against sex workers as a hate crime. With our dedicated, full-time police detective, we work in partnership to meet the needs of this group. We aim to reduce violence via education of the general public, with a focus on young people and offenders, to highlight the particular nature of this hate crime.

We offer:
 Support, one to one and group
 Outreach, drop ins across Merseyside, In reach and support for online workers
 Casework
 Specialist ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Adviser) support
 Trauma and link worker support
We help people to:
 Report crimes against them via the team and/or National Ugly Mugs
 Look at their health needs, physical, mental health, and sexual health
 Educate themselves around safer working, health and safety, harm reduction
 If required, work towards exiting and with local partners, look for alternatives
 Referrals and support to drug & alcohol services, housing providers, safeguarding etc.
 Support to begin to address past and current trauma
 Links to probation, prison, and local hospital’s
People can move on to, Lives free from addiction, less harmful practices via harm reduction, empowerment through knowledge. Family reunification, how to ‘go legal’ as in paying tax if working indoors, camming, lap dancing, escorting or involved in porn. Reduce homelessness and unify families.

• Primary Specialism
  • Sexual Violence and Exploitation

Referral Information

Referrals Offered:

• This service does not offer Booking referrals
• This service offers Drop-in referrals
• This service does not offer Electronic referrals
• This service does not offer Other – See referral information referrals