We are relieved to see justice has been done in the trial against a man who was convicted of murder of a woman and the rape of a second. First and foremost, our hearts go out to the family and friends of the victims; particularly Louisa who did not survive the violence she experienced; we praise the incredible bravery of the witness who gave evidence that helped achieve both convictions.
“We would like to sincerely thank West Yorkshire Police and all those whose thorough investigation helped establish and present the evidence which highlighted how the perpetrator had targeted his violence at sex workers which helped secure the conviction.” – Moya Woolven, CEO Basis Yorkshire
Sadly, we know that sex workers are too often victims of violence based on the stigma that exists in society against them. This emboldens perpetrators to dehumanize them based on the false premise that their lives are somehow worth less than that of others. This is why we continue to challenge stigma in whichever manner it presents itself, be it through derogatory language or behaviour, extreme violence or the way support and other systems discriminate against them. Thankfully in this case the criminal justice system did not.
We will always remember Louisa fondly, her willingness to help others, her authenticity, and her smile. We miss her but her memory will live on.
If you are a sex worker and wish to access support after a crime (sexual or otherwise), please reach out to us, whether you wish to go through the criminal justice process or not. For more information, please visit https://basisyorkshire.org.uk/sex-work-project/ call us on 0113 243 0036 or reach out on social media.
