The Many Ways Rahab Supports Women Involved in Sex Work
Every woman who comes into contact with Rahab has her own story, her own strengths, and her own challenges. There is no single reason why women become involved in sex work, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting them. Our role is to walk alongside each woman, providing practical help, emotional support, and advocacy as she navigates whatever circumstances she is facing.
Practical Support
Much of our work focuses on helping women access healthcare. This can be as straightforward as supporting someone to register with a GP, or as complex as accompanying a woman to hospital appointments, A&E, or specialist clinics. We also support women who may be pregnant by arranging appointments and ensuring they have someone alongside them throughout the process. When women are admitted to hospital, we continue to visit them, bringing essential items such as clothing and food so they feel cared for during what can be a difficult time.
There are times when our support extends to responding to emergencies. On more than one occasion, we have called 999 for a woman in crisis and remained with her until emergency services arrived, helping her access the care and support she needed. We have also helped women access urgent dental treatment, arranging appointments and accompanying them to ensure they received the care they might otherwise have struggled to obtain.
Housing insecurity is a reality for many women we support. We help women move into accommodation when opportunities arise, working alongside housing providers and partner organisations. For those who are sleeping rough, we source practical essentials such as tents, clothing, and toiletries, while also making referrals to services that can provide longer-term support.
Partnership
No organisation can meet every need alone, so partnership working is at the heart of what we do. We regularly collaborate with organisations including Launchpad, CGL, the Florey Clinic, VIA, Holt, and St Mungo’s to ensure women can access specialist services for housing, substance misuse, healthcare, and wider support. We also make referrals to organisations such as Cowshed, ReadiFood, and StreetLink, helping women access clothing, food, and emergency assistance.
Many of the women we support have experienced trauma and benefit from additional emotional support. We help women access counselling services and work alongside other professionals to complete Common Assessment Framework (CAF) assessments where coordinated, multi-agency support is needed. By advocating on behalf of women and helping them navigate complex systems, we aim to remove some of the barriers that can make it difficult to access help.
Supporting women is about more than responding to crises. We also encourage women to reconnect with their communities by attending local activities, helping to reduce isolation and build confidence. Sometimes support means helping a woman maintain important family relationships, such as accompanying her to visit a partner in prison, recognising that healthy relationships and social connections can play an important role in wellbeing.
Meaningful Change
At Rahab, we know that meaningful change often begins with trust. Whether we’re accompanying someone to a medical appointment, helping them secure accommodation, providing emergency essentials, or simply walking alongside them through a difficult day, our aim is to offer compassionate, practical support that meets women where they are.
Every conversation, every appointment, and every act of kindness is part of helping women access the support, dignity, and hope they deserve