ABSTRACT
Violence against prostitutes is well documented; streetwalkers are ready prey for muggers, drug addicts and rival prostitutes. The overwhelming impression was that assaults or having customers turn a bit funny was just an accepted part of the job, and that it was more prudent to try to compromise with the customer than try to ignite a potentially dangerous situation. Of the fourteen women who had been assaulted by a client, five rapes of prostitutes were reported to the police. This was regarded by the police as being slightly above average. However, the five rapes were committed by just three different men - all of whom were eventually apprehended and charged with various offences. The effect of assault or rape on individual prostitutes was difficult to judge. While some of the victims stopped working on the patch as a direct result of the trauma suffered, most women appeared to continue working.
