About Street Talk

Street Talk is a charity which takes mental health to women working as street prostitutes.

These women are some of the most excluded and neglected people in our cities. The have multiple and complex problems which may include a history of abuse, homelessness, drug addiction, alcoholism, mental and physical illness, poverty, isolation and in some cases a learning difficulty.

In addition to any number of the above problems the women are very often the victims of ongoing physical violence, sexual and emotional abuse on a day to day basis. Sometimes these women are in absolute terror of pimps or other men who use all sorts of means to bully and control them as well as being at risk of violence from their clients. The psychological damage from the abuses which they encounter, as a result of their involvement in street prostitution is itself a very serious issue. When someone is the victim of regular abuse, their self esteem and confidence is destroyed and it becomes very difficult for them to regain autonomy over their own life and help themselves. Frequently people who are routinely abused become habituated to and eventually believe that they deserve ill treatment. Once a person has given up believing that life could be any better it is very difficult for any change to take place. It takes great courage and determination to get off drugs or to stop abusing alcohol. The first step is to believe that it can be done.

Street Talk has been set up to respond to the psychological damage that these women have suffered. In addressing their mental health, their sense of self worth, we help to give these women the best chance of overcoming other challenges. Street Talk has been set up to give them the best chance of exiting prostitution and building a life where they have dignity and hope.