A chill has descended upon the streets of Soho, a district once known for its vibrant nightlife and, for some, a relatively safe working environment. Now, a terrifying trend is gripping the area, leaving sex workers living in fear.
It began subtly, with whispers of groups gathering, young faces hidden beneath hoodies. Then came the videos – frantic kicks against flat doors, captured not to expose a crime, but to chase viral fame on platforms like TikTok. These weren’t isolated incidents; they were coordinated acts of intimidation, filmed and shared as entertainment.
Sally, a 29-year-old Londoner working in the industry to support her child, remembers a time when Soho felt secure. Her workplace, a discreet door leading to modest but comfortable flats, was protected by CCTV and a network of colleagues. A sense of community offered a fragile shield against the outside world.
That sense of security has shattered. Over the last five weeks, gangs of youths, some as young as ten and numbering up to forty, have descended upon Soho, turning the streets into a gauntlet of anxiety. The “vibe” has irrevocably shifted, replaced by a constant dread.
“They creep up the stairs, giggling and laughing,” Sally recounts, her voice trembling. “They get their cameras out, like it’s a big joke. They knock, then kick, hitting the door with sticks, smashing bottles… shouting things, calling us names.”
The attacks aren’t merely verbal. Glasses have been thrown, signs ripped down, CCTV cameras targeted, and walls bashed with metal poles. Customers attempting to enter the building are harassed, questioned, and subjected to unwanted scrutiny.
Confrontation is too risky. Any attempt to defend themselves could be twisted and amplified online, exposing their profession to friends and family. “We’re just trying to earn money and feed our families,” Sally pleads, her desperation palpable.
Niki Adams, spokesperson for the English Collective of Prostitutes, confirms the escalating danger. The attacks are becoming more frequent, more aggressive, and are impacting a diverse group of workers – British and migrant women alike. “They feel trapped and fearful,” she explains, “angry and frustrated, ignored and blocked from reporting what is happening.”
Reporting to the police feels like a gamble. Sex workers fear being criminalized themselves, caught in a legal grey area where seeking help could lead to prosecution. The existing laws, Niki argues, actively prevent women from working together safely.
Sally’s experience with the police has been disheartening. “They’ve been useless,” she states bluntly. “We’re scared to say anything, so we try to fly under the radar. But we can’t now. We need help, because someone’s going to end up getting hurt badly.”
Beyond the immediate physical danger, a new fear has emerged: the fear of exposure. Sally dreads the thought of her face, her livelihood, being splashed across the internet, shattering her privacy and potentially impacting her child’s life.
The harassment is also taking a financial toll. Bella, another Soho sex worker, reports a decline in customers, driven away by the intimidating presence of the gangs. “Customers aren’t coming as much now,” she says, her voice laced with stress. “I’m so stressed with finances.”
The question lingers: what fuels this disturbing trend? Some speculate the youths are attempting to portray the women as victims of trafficking, seeking online validation for a fabricated rescue. Others believe it’s simply a desperate grab for notoriety, a pursuit of views and likes at any cost.
Niki Adams points to a broader societal issue – a growing hostility towards sex workers, fueled by misinformation and perpetuated by certain politicians. This stigma, she argues, legitimizes abusive behavior in the eyes of some young people.
The call for action is urgent. Niki demands that the police take these attacks seriously, providing genuine protection and recognizing the fundamental right to safety for all workers. She also advocates for the decriminalization of sex work, arguing it would empower women to work together more safely and report violence without fear of reprisal.
The police acknowledge the trend and state they are using their powers to address the behavior, issuing warnings and considering further action. They emphasize their commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals and tackling exploitation. However, for those on the front lines, the response feels inadequate.
For Sally, Bella, and countless others, the streets of Soho have become a place of fear, a stark reminder of the vulnerability and stigma faced by those working in the sex industry. The silence must be broken, and real protection offered before someone is seriously harmed.
