Testimonials

Routes Out have been such a help to me. I became involved in sex work including web cam work and wanted out of it. My situation became worse when a violent ex-partner found out and tried to use it against me. When I found Routes Out I was scared. I felt that my ex-partner should be reported to the police, that he should not get away with this but I was didn't know my rights. I wasn't 100% sure that me being involved in sex work would detract from his behaviour in the eyes of the police. When I met with Routes Out they offered to make that first step to speaking to police with me. They educated me and reassured me on legal issues and followed me through the entire process of dealing with my ex and supported me whilst the law took its course. Routes Out gave me a place where I could say openly that I did not want to be involved in sex work any longer and then helped me to explore the process of making this possible. This was the first time I ever spoke about my debt issues. I had long since tried to underplay these but knew well this was one of the biggest reasons for my remaining in web cam work. I was embarrassed about the debt but my worker always made me feel that I had nothing to hide and she connected me with services who helped me to resolve this. This was the first time anyone ever asked me how I wanted life to go, what were my goals. As soon as I voiced this she helped me begin to make it possible and everything started to get better. My worker has been there for me everytime I have needed her and I can't say enough good things about her or this service.

Female 38

After being widowed, losing my flat and with a daughter to raise, I started escorting. I was struggling with depression after losing my husband and made what I thought were good choices at the time. I assumed that I would do this just long enough to get by and then finish. I thought working online would make it safer and thought no friends or family would ever find out. I didn't expect I would get hurt or witness anyone else get hurt, but I did. I was raped and witnessed a friend seriously hurt by a man she thought she could trust. I didn't want my daughter to become an orphan so I tried to leave. I told my family, who gave my daughter and I somewhere to live, but I was scared to talk to anyone outwith my family. I was given the phone number of Routes Out by a girl I had met whilst escorting and I held onto it for weeks before I called them. I was so scared but I didn't need to be because the worker made an appointment to see me the same week. When we met I told her my story. To this day Routes Out are the only people I have been 100% open with. I was embarrassed but the worker never made me feel that I had anything to be ashamed of. She always said to me that people do what they need to do in order to survive, I had never thought about it like that before. Routes Out always made me feel that whatever I wanted to do was right.

Female 35