Key facts
- Donald Trump threatened to bomb Oman if it interfered with ending the US-Israel war on Iran.
- Simon Levy was sentenced to a whole life tariff for murdering two women involved in sex work.
- Levy targeted sex workers due to a belief he could act with impunity.
- A significant majority of women selling sex experience violence and distrust police.
- Policing strategies aimed at protecting sex workers have not always filtered down to frontline officers.
Donald Trump reportedly threatened to bomb Oman if the country interfered with his plans to end the US-Israel war on Iran. This statement comes amid broader discussions about the justice system's treatment of women involved in sex work, highlighted by the recent sentencing of Simon Levy to a rare whole life tariff for the murders of Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins.
Levy, a registered sex offender with a history of offending since 2018, targeted women selling sex, believing he could act with impunity. While police and prosecution failings that allowed Levy to kill again are being addressed, the underlying issue of why such predators assume they can harm sex workers without consequence has been overlooked. Victims and campaigners have long raised concerns about the justice system's treatment of these women.
Recent media coverage has been noted for referring to victims as "women" first and "sex workers" second, focusing on their personal lives rather than their profession. However, the reality for women selling sex is endemic violence, with many reluctant to report to the police due to a lack of trust. Charities like National Ugly Mugs (NUM) process numerous reports of violence, but only a small percentage of women consent to share incidents with the police. Surveys indicate a high prevalence of violence and abuse among women involved in prostitution.
Past cases, such as that of Iain Packer, have exposed chronic police failings and a dismissive attitude towards women selling sex. While current policing strategies aim for a harm reduction model, many women report that this has not translated to frontline policing. The implementation of strategies like 'Clear, Hold, Build' in areas like Tottenham has led to women being displaced, arrested, and fined, potentially pushing them into more isolated and dangerous working conditions. This also hinders their ability to build trust with the police and report predatory behaviour.
Support agencies note a growing diversity among women selling sex, many of whom are mothers facing financial hardship. The debate continues on whether decriminalising prostitution or criminalising men who buy sex would be more effective in protecting women and reducing violence.