Bahana Saikia

Sex workers are adults who engage in consensual sexual services or erotic performances in exchange for money or goods, either on a regular or occasional basis. In the UK, there are approximately 105,000 sex workers, with 32,000 located in London.

Many individuals may find themselves drawn to this line of work due to external pressures or urgent needs, such as financial struggles, challenges in securing stable employment (particularly for those who are neurodiverse), or inadequate housing options. This is often referred to as survival sex. Sex workers may work under different arrangements, including agency employment, informal management, or as freelancers. Freelancers, in particular, face the challenge of not only finding clients but also seeking support and guidance from various organisations.

Once individuals enter the profession, they encounter a multitude of problems, including:

1. Stigma and societal taboo associated with their work.
2. Violence and harassment from clients, the police, the general public, and landlords.
3. Legal issues and complexities surrounding their work.
4. Difficulties in accessing essential services, such as sexual health resources.
5. Lack of support from family and friends.

These pressing concerns have created a distressing landscape marked by devastating incidents, such as serial killings, murders, heightened levels of violence and harassment, and an alarming increase in raids targeting sex workers. Additionally, access to adequate healthcare remains inconsistent and inadequate, posing significant challenges for those in need.

In response to the increasing numbers of sex workers and the challenges they face, various support services, charities, and organizations have been established. These initiatives play a crucial role in providing vital assistance, resources, and advocacy for sex workers. Currently, there are more than 54 charities operating in the UK, with a collective funding exceeding £100 million, and over 20 of these charities are based in London.

Despite the progress made in raising awareness and advocating for the rights of sex workers, they continue to confront ongoing frustrations, including stigma, violence, disrespect, and harsh judgment. The need for financial stability, respect, and safety remains constant for sex workers as they navigate their lives in a state of fear, not only for themselves but also for the well-being of their loved ones. To cope with these challenges, many individuals in the sex work industry adopt practices of anonymity as a means of protection and self-preservation.

The practice of anonymity extends beyond their professional lives and into their personal relationships, where sex workers may utilise aliases even with their loved ones. This additional layer of anonymity serves as a safeguard against potential risks and helps to maintain a sense of security amidst the various challenges they face on a daily basis.

Our exploration led us to delve deeper into how sex workers establish and maintain relationships with various stakeholders in their communities. We discovered that sex workers primarily engage with charities and external service providers, including statutory services. However, we noticed a significant gap in connectivity between these charities and service providers, which becomes even more pronounced when sex workers adopt the use of aliases.

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the experiences and challenges faced by sex workers, we engaged in meaningful discussions with prominent organisations and individuals dedicated to supporting them. This included insightful conversations with esteemed advocates such as the English Collective of Prostitutes, SWARM Collective, and Streetlight UK. We also consulted renowned sex work researchers, including Kate Lister and Dr. Angelika Strohmayer. To ensure our approach was informed and sensitive to the nuances of this complex issue, we sought guidance from experts such as trauma-informed designer Jenny Winfield, inclusive design expert Rama Gherewo, as well as Jo-Anne Bichard, a design researcher in HHCD, and the Reason Digital design studio, both of whom have previous experience collaborating with sex workers.

In our pursuit of knowledge and empathy, we also explored a wide range of resources, including books, movies, podcasts, and blogs that allowed us to immerse ourselves in the lived experiences of sex workers. This multidimensional approach provided us with invaluable insights into the challenges they face and informed our understanding of the importance of developing effective and inclusive solutions to support sex workers in their pursuit of safety, respect, and well-being.

1. Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing - The knowledge gap between sex worker charities and support services hinders the accessibility of comprehensive assistance, highlighting the need for improved information sharing and collaboration.

2. Need for privacy and Confidentiality - Anonymity is a critical requirement for sex workers to feel safe and protected, emphasizing the necessity for solutions that prioritize and maintain their confidentiality while facilitating access to vital resources.

3. Holistic Access to Support - Sex workers' diverse needs extend beyond their profession, necessitating access to a wide range of services; addressing these holistic needs through integrated service models can contribute to their empowerment and overall well-being.

We have two potential solutions.

1. A blockchain enabled platform through which a sex worker will sign up privately for any service and then choose which data points to share and with whom. They can also share it with friends and family using their private keys. 

2. Integrating their private details on NFC-enabled passports (or another existing system of identification like a driving license). Sex worker will go to a service provider, service provider will scan the passport, their system will show the data, they can CRUD the data. Once the service is done, the updated data will be loaded back on the passport and erased from the system. 

We are currently exploring both these solutions, weighing the pros and cons and figuring which one to take further. We are also keeping in mind the speed, scale and scope of project so that whatever we do, gets implemented on ground.

How might we increase information and awareness about bathroom etiquette in the UK by nudging tourists towards adopting responsible flushing practices that protect the environment and improve hygiene to reduce sewage blockages and maintenance costs?

This project addressed the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6): Water and Sanitation. This goal focuses on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The challenge at hand was substantial, with billions of people worldwide still lacking access to these basic services. The urgency to quadruple the current rate of progress by 2030 to achieve universal access was significant, and we were tasked with innovating within this vast and critical space.

Among the many facets of this issue, our team decided to concentrate on an often overlooked but impactful problem: the improper disposal of items in toilets, specifically toilet paper, and the resulting costly repair and maintenance. While it might seem like a small piece of the broader issue, we found that it had significant implications for sanitation infrastructure and costs the UK £100 million.

We conducted a thorough research effort for the project, incorporating desk research and user research to gain a comprehensive understanding of the problem. For user research, we interviewed tourists from 8 different countries visiting London to uncover their challenges and perceptions. Additionally, we conducted observational studies at multiple public toilet locations and interviewed sanitation workers. To develop a holistic view of the stakeholders involved, we created detailed user personas, user journeys, and a stakeholder ecosystem map. These insights played a crucial role in shaping our ideation and concept development process, ensuring alignment with the identified problem.

For the solution, as the first intervention - we developed were a series of signs, stickers, and posters to educate tourists about appropriate flushing practices. Strategically placed in various public and private restrooms, these materials aimed to increase cultural awareness, promote positive habits, encourage conversations about toilet practices among tourists. We focused on relatable language, inclusivity, and humour to engage people from diverse cultures effectively. 

The second intervention focused on extending the service digitally; using a QR code that leads to a website that provides guidelines on proper toilet usage in the UK. We also proposed this multilingual digital intervention integrated with the the Great British Public Toilet Map - a popular resource that maps out public toilets in the UK. 

The final intervention aimed to encourage proper waste disposal and discourage inappropriate disposal of items in toilets. We created prototypes of redesigned waste bins at key locations, such as public toilets, railway and tube stations, airports, and malls. The goal was to visually nudge people to dispose of items like wet wipes and tampons correctly, reducing the chances of them being flushed down the toilet.