CoLab Exeter launches ‘Out of the Shadows’ toolkit to support women at risk of sexual exploitation
Natascha, one of our Community Mental Health Development Leads in Exeter, East & Mid Devon, recently attended the launch event for ‘Out of the Shadows’ at CoLab Exeter. This new toolkit, developed by staff in the CoLab Women team, is aimed at improving responses to supporting women at risk of sexual exploitation.
Speaking about the launch after the event, Natascha commented:
“It was great to see over 30 colleagues from across a variety of sectors and agencies attend this launch. The conversations were really thought-provoking and engaging. It’s certainly a topic that needs to be discussed more in terms of how we can create a better whole system approach for women experiencing multiple disadvantages and barriers to engagement.”
‘Out of the Shadows’ was collated and prepared by CoLab Women Programme Manager Jeanie Lynch, who explained about the intention behind its development:
“Our goal is to improve outcomes and access to health for women involved in the sex industry and/or experiencing sexual exploitation. This is a strengths-based toolkit, using existing best practice from Devon and other areas. It offers opportunities for improved responses and support, bringing together specialist knowledge and research, but most importantly centring on the voices of those who have been brave enough to share their experiences with us.
We hope that this toolkit can play a role in breaking down the stigma experienced by women involved in the sex industry or those who have experienced sexual exploitation. Our ambition is that this is part of a wider shift across the system which will lead to improved responses benefiting not only women at risk, but a variety of marginalised communities.”
The event was a great opportunity to explore a critically important issue. Our Community Development Leads are always happy to engage in such conversations with those who are looking to work towards a system change.
For more information on the launch and to access an electronic version of the toolkit, please visit the CoLab Exeter website: www.colabexeter.org.uk/latest-news/out-of-the-shadows-launch