Red Light Ministry

This is a ministry which reaches out to women involved in prostitution in Bradford. Two evenings a week we take a minibus of volunteers to the Red-Light District in our city. We provide food, hot drinks and other essential items. If the girls board the bus, we simply ‘talk’ and offer support where necessary. First and foremost we create an environment of acceptance not one of judgement.  

The majority of these women are involved in substance abuse be it drugs, alcohol or prescribed medication. They are in a vicious circle of working to earn enough money to pay for their next ‘fix’. Our purpose is to build relationships of trust and to show them the path to a better lifestyle.

Prostitution has a deeply damaging effect on both the individuals concerned and the communities within which it takes place. Many believe that an individual involved in prostitution is always in complete control of their situation but the reality is that once a person enters into prostitution, it can be very difficult to get out. Through our partnerships with various agencies and organisations in the city we are able to see each woman receive the support she needs should she make the decision to leave prostitution and its associated lifestyle.

As a church we provide a monthly support group called ‘Connect’ which teaches on the subject of ‘Identity’. This has proved to be a great vehicle for connecting women of all backgrounds to each other, the church and to God. 

Facts about Prostitution in the UK
There are an estimated 80,000 individuals working in prostitution in the UK   Research shows that 70% of those involved in prostitution started out as children or young teenagers   95% of those involved in street prostitution are Class A drug addicts   85% of individuals involved in prostitution experienced abuse in the family. As many as 65 women involved in prostitution have been murdered in the last 12 years.
Information taken from   Paying the Price: A Consultation paper on prostitution   
Home Office, July 2004 (Author: Rachel Davies)