Policing Vulnerability: the Care and Control of Sex Workers Through Designated Police Officers

The state’s duty to protect vulnerable people gives rise to powerful forms of social intervention, especially in policing. This article reports from co-produced multimethods research focussed on one form of policing vulnerability within an English police force; the role of a specialist sex worker li...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
1. VerfasserIn: Brown, Kate 1980- (VerfasserIn)
Beteiligte: Grace, Sharon ; Redman, Scarlett
Medienart: Elektronisch Aufsatz
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: 2025
In: The British journal of criminology
Jahr: 2025, Band: 65, Heft: 1, Seiten: 17-36
Online-Zugang: Volltext (kostenfrei)
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Schlagwörter:
Vulnerability
Sex Work
Policing
Harm Reduction
Justice
Social Control
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:The state’s duty to protect vulnerable people gives rise to powerful forms of social intervention, especially in policing. This article reports from co-produced multimethods research focussed on one form of policing vulnerability within an English police force; the role of a specialist sex worker 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.
ISSN:1464-3529
DOI:10.1093/bjc/azae026