A red-light district in Leeds has been made a permanent fixture only three weeks after a sex worker in the area was killed.
The prostitution zone has been allowed to continue operating, despite the recent death of prostitute Daria Pionko. The 21-year-old had been found with fatal injuries inside the ‘managed area’.
A 24-year-old man is awaiting trial for her murder.
According to Councillor Mark Dobson of Leeds City Council, a managed area is needed in order to keep workers safe.
CEO of Christian Concern Andrea Williams has, however, questioned why a local authority is condoning illegal activity that carries so many risks.
'Managed area'
The ‘managed’ district within Leeds was set up in 2014, after findings that police action was not reducing levels of prostitution.
"The managed area isn't a universal cure-all. Sex work remains - as last month proved - an extremely dangerous and fraught occupation. But it's incumbent on us to make it as safe as possible," said Councillor Dobson.
Under the scheme, sex workers are allowed to work in the designated part of the Holbeck area of the city, between the hours of 7pm and 7am. But council chiefs are considering extending these hours.
'Cannot continue to turn a blind eye'
Andrea Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, commented that this is not an adequate solution.
"We want our streets to be safe and healthy for our citizens, but prostitution puts women at risk of physical and emotional harm. The tragic death of Ms Pionko is evidence of this.
"Sanctioning sex work goes some way towards normalising it, and we cannot continue to turn a blind eye. Doing so will do nothing to provide a way out for these women, who are trapped in a miserable and hopeless lifestyle.
"We should be doing more to tackle prostitution at its roots, promoting instead the stability and satisfaction that can be found in God’s design of marriage."
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Related Coverage:
Leeds red-light district made permanent fixture with 'prostitution zone' three weeks after sex worker murder (Telegraph)