Sexual Health Services – Identifying the Barriers for Sex Workers
16 June 2026
“They’re trying to standardise sexual activity in a way that doesn’t work for sex workers” – Nomsa, Project Participant
Healthcare is a human right. Whether services provide care for mental health, physical health or sexual health, they should be freely accessible for all. Participants working with the Racial Justice Project identify barriers in UK sexual health services, and recommend changes that can help clinics to become more accessible and sex worker-friendly.
Identifying the problems and barriers:
“I’m [just] very open about being a sx worker. But whenever I go in and they ask, “How many partners have you had?” and I say, “I can’t really tell you that because sx work is different – I have different clients, although it’s all protected,” they just won’t let it go.
I also work with MASH, it’s like a charity in Manchester for sx workers. And one of the nurses is always talking about how when she goes into the actual clinics weekly, she tries to have these discussions with nurses, but they don’t seem to stop asking us. Especially if you’re willing to say, “I’m a sx worker – can we go about the questions a different way?” They say they can’t. I think there should be an option where they can. I don’t know how many clients I have in a week. Although it’s all protected, anything can happen.” – Kiara (project participant)
Safeguarding triggers and distrust problematises a practice:
“For the doctors and nurses I’ve worked with, I’ve often brought up how unhelpful it is when, if you disclose “I do sx work,” the first thing they ask is: “Do you feel safe?”
I’ve told them to stop asking me that. You often feel like a safeguarding process or escalation is going to be triggered if you say anything but “Yes, I feel safe.” And the truth is, in our job, it’s impossible to feel fully safe.” – Lucian (project participant)
Participants presented actionable recommendations for sexual health services:
“One thing on this topic that I found helpful…like sometimes I go to Viva Street or in some clinics and they ask: “How many partners in the last week?” or “in the last two days?” instead of “How many partners have you had?” which I don’t mind, like I find that easier to answer and less stigmatising.
Also, it sounds simple, but if I say “I don’t know,” they don’t push. They are not going to be like “You have to know.” They just accept it. I don’t know what they put in the system, but having an option where people can not know would help.” – Naomi (project participant)
One solution to ease distrust and concern around safeguarding triggers is to adapt the language:
“What’s more helpful are more open questions like: “How supported do you feel from friends if something goes wrong in a sexual encounter?” and “Do you know about organisations that can help you if you have a bad or unwanted sexual encounter?”
And then also like the term “sexual encounter” is also quite neutral, it can be recreational or a work encounter.” – Lucian (project participant)