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Please click on the links
below to read our case studies
Rape Trial
Paula's Story
Lucy's Story
Anne's Story
On a warm day in June 2007 one of the Women’s
Work Eastern European service users came to the
project to ask for a drink and condoms, sensing
she seemed distressed a Project Worker persuaded
her to have a seat and then began to try and find
out what was upsetting the client. As the facts
slowly emerged it became disturbingly clear that
the client had been raped. Upon receiving this
information she was asked to fill out a ‘Dodgy
Punter’ form and to look at the other forms we had
on file. When she had filled out the description
of her attacker it was faxed to a Divisional
Intelligence Officer at the Derby Divisional
Headquarters in St Mary’s Wharf.
On
receiving this fax the police contacted the
project and asked if the client was prepared to
press charges as already in their custody was a
man fitting the description. The client agreed to
go ahead with the prosecution. A Project Worker
took the client to Millfield House where she gave
a video statement of the attack and supported her
throughout the evidence gathering process.
Whilst at Millfield, the client revealed her
harrowing journey to the UK. After being
physically and sexually abused by her father for
many years she was then promised employment within
the UK by a group of Albanian individuals,
unfortunately this was a lie and she was brought
over to work in Brothels or Saunas to pay off the
‘debt’ she owed to her traffickers. This somehow
brought her to Derby where she began street sex
working to fund the drug habit she had developed
in trying to come to terms with the trauma she had
experienced over the years.
Women’s Work
supported the client throughout this traumatic
time and accompanied her to the trial in April 08
where she was called upon to give evidence.
Throughout this period Women’s Work liaised
with Detectives at Peartree C.I.D in the hope of
securing a conviction of the attacker.
On
Friday 11th April 2008 at Derby Crown Court the
attacker was sentenced to a minimum term of nine
years for charges that included attempted rape and
robbery. On release from custody he will be
immediately deported back to his country of
origin.
The Peartree C.I.D congratulated
the Women’s Work team by stating that the
investigation would not have been possible without
their assistance and that the working relationship
between the Derbyshire Police and Women’s Work has
resulted in an excellent example of partnership
working for the benefit of the local community
They also added that Women’s Work willingness to
help and dedication to protecting our clients and
the public in general from a vicious and dangerous
man is a credit to our organisation.
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Eighteen months ago Paula was a heroin addict
and street sex worker.
After accessing the Women’s Work drop-in
facility and with support and encouragement from
her key worker she began a methadone program and
eventually entered residential rehabilitation.
This is her story so far...
This is my second contribution to the Women’s
Work Annual Report, proof that I’m still going
strong. It has been 18 months since I last used
heroin or crack. It seems like a lifetime ago,
almost as if I was another person then, which I
suppose is close enough to the truth.
I was happy enough to complete the
rehabilitation program at Phoenix House then to
move into my own flat. It seems strange that the
only person I’m now avoiding is the television
license man rather than a handful of dealers I
owe money to!
It’s good to be able to walk down the street
and not have to turn away every time a police
car passes just on the off-chance there’s a
warrant out for me.
I try and keep myself busy; so far I’ve
gained Health and Hygiene, First Aid and Drama
certificates. I’ve also completed a course on
working with the deaf using sign language skills
and Mediation between disputing neighbours. I
also worked at Tesco supermarket over the
Christmas period. Last September I started a
full time Access course in Art and Design, and
have every intention of completing this.
When I left Derby I had to cut myself off
from everyone with whom I’d had drug related
relationships. Some of the people I was in
rehabilitation with have returned to using drugs
so I’ve had to cut off all contact with them.
Lyndsey, from Derby Women’s Work, has been
one of the very few contacts that I’ve continued
to keep and I have appreciated that.
I am a stranger in a strange city so it’s good
to hear from someone familiar to me. I’ve got
friends from college so my social life has
improved vastly.
I wouldn’t say I’ve got what I want, but I
would say I’ve got what I need and that’s what I
call progress!
Paula Kyle
SERVICE USER
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I love my cooked breakfast’s it’s beautiful,
just to taste something that has been made by
people that are so kind and generous in help.
It’s not an option you come by people like that
or this if you know what I am saying. Basically
my cooking is rare except when I try to do my
best!!
It is nice to be able to wash my clothes too,
especially when I had to sell my washing machine
due to the abuse I was getting at my yard, so it
is great to be respected. If I could I would
support funds for a nice homely place like this.
I have stopped working the beat because I fell
sick with my legs. I suppose if you understand
if it is a way of living you can’t stop. If my
legs were better I’d be straight back out only
because it is a way of life, I’m not the
girlfriend sort who know though I might quit
forever, maybe thanks to the help I’m receiving
we shall see!!!
I might find a hobby like photography, except
I’d like to have something that I can earn money
from.
So thanks loads and loads our great Women’s
Work.
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I have just begun to come to Women’s Work and
I have found they are really helpful, they did
my washing, they have clothed me and they have
even fed me which was something never did as I
was only into eating sweets. I am only seven
stone and now hopefully I will put the weight on
now that I am eating healthy food.
The staff here have managed to get me registered
with Derby Homefinder which was something I had
been trying to do for months and that is why I
have been from hostel to the night shelter and
all over the place and can’t get settled, now
that I am registered I can start to bid for a
one bedroomed flat which I would love as it can
help me get my kids back.
Women’s Work has done more for me than any other
place I have been. I would love for us women
that come here to get together and do something
for these lovely women that have helped us. I
didn’t think people as nice as this existed as I
have had so many bad experiences in Derby with
other places. I would rate Women’s Work as
number one and I hope some of the women that
come here feel the same as I think that they
should.
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