basis training & education
Leeds
Basis Yorkshire was set up (as Genesis Leeds) in 1989 by a few volunteers,
supporting sexworkers in Leeds. In 1997, a young person’s service was
established to accommodate the specific needs of girls and young women who were
being sexually exploited. In 2018, Basis Boys was established to accommodate
boys and young men that are being exploited, sexually or otherwise. The charity
also provides high quality training and awareness raising sessions locally and
nationally on social justice issues and practice development. POSITION STATEMENT
– WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO Basis supports indoor and street sex workers who identify
as women, and young people who are sexually exploited. Our purpose is to empower
people to make safer and healthier choices by offering information, support and
options. Our work is driven by a sound evidence base, as well as working closely
with women and young people to ensure our services are designed and delivered
with them, putting their voices and experience at the centre of our work. We
challenge stigma and inequality of access to services for everyone we work with.
We are proud to be one of a small number of specialist organisations that
explicitly recognise and advocate for women’s right to work more safely when
selling sex, while also supporting young people who are sexually exploited to be
safer and free from harm. We understand that for some women and young people,
their ‘choices’ are severely constrained by a range of factors including
physical and mental health, substance use, family circumstances and abusive
relationships, as we support them in managing the risks and vulnerabilities they
face. We recognise people’s dignity and agency in their decision-making.
