The ASE Partnership brings together charities specialised in adult sexual exploitation.
The Adult Sexual Exploitation (ASE) Partnership (formerly known as STAGE), supported by the National Lottery Community Fund brings together charities specialised in adult sexual exploitation – Changing Lives, A Way Out, GROW, Together Women, Basis Yorkshire, WomenCentre, Ashiana and the Angelou Centre – to provide trauma-informed support for women who have been groomed for sexual exploitation across the North East, Yorkshire and Merseyside.
Parallel to the work directly supporting women, the ASE Partnership advocates for local and national change. Adult sexual exploitation is poorly understood and rarely recognised in policy and practice, but we seek to change that.
The ASE Partnership uses the following definition of adult sexual exploitation:
Adult sexual exploitation is a form of sexual abuse of people aged 18 or over whereby an individual or group threaten, coerce, manipulate or deceive the victim into sexual activity for the benefit of the perpetrator(s). Sexual activity does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology. It is distinguished from consensual sex work as the act of coercion, manipulation and deceit removes the freedom and choice to consent.
Nationally there is a lack of agreement over how ASE should be defined, meaning there is wide variation in how it is identified and addressed. Unlike child sexual exploitation, there is currently no statutory definition of adult sexual exploitation.
It is vital that sexual exploitation is not conflated with consensual sex work. Sex work is a broad term for various sexual activities, where the person providing sexual services profits in some way, often financially. Sexual exploitation on the face of it can look like legitimate sex work, however such interactions are not consensual, and the perpetrator is disproportionately benefiting from the exchange. In cases of ASE, the freedom and choice to consent is removed through the actions of the perpetrator – i.e. through coercion, manipulation and/or deception.
For more information about how the ASE Partnership defines ASE and why we feel this is so important you can read more in this briefing.
Learn More About Our Definition of ASE
This report details the experiences of women experiencing both sexual exploitation and substance misuse, who are often let down by support systems. This can trap them in a cycle of further trauma, mental ill-health, child remove, and further substance use and exploitation.
This briefing provides a detailed definition and description of ASE, including why we believe it is so important to define ASE in this way.
This briefing explores how ASE is often misunderstood, with misconceptions and stereotypes often leaving women vulnerable and unable to move on and recover. It seeks to change the narrative so that society can better respond.
This briefing sets out findings from research into the age of transition from childhood to adulthood amongst those experiencing ASE.
This briefing sets out findings from research into experiences of accessing housing amongst women facing ASE.
This briefing sets out findings of the specific barriers to support faced by Black and minoritised women who have experienced ASE.
This briefing sets out findings from research into experiences of the criminal justice system amongst women facing ASE.
This briefing sets out findings from research into experiences of accessing healthcare amongst women facing ASE.
Under its former name of STAGE, the ASE Partnership released a toolkit for practitioners who may come into contact with women who have experienced sexual exploitation.
A Way Out is an outreach and prevention charity which aims to engage and empower those who feel ignored, experience multiple disadvantage and are excluded, focusing specifically on women, young people and families to live lives free from harm, abuse and exploitation.
GROW is a long-established women’s organisation based in Rotherham, dedicated to supporting women and girls facing complex challenges. For over 30 years, GROW has delivered trauma-informed, holistic services that empower individuals to rebuild their lives, make informed choices, and regain confidence.
Together Women provides trauma-informed, gender-responsive support to women across the North of England through a series of Women’s Centres. We offer tailored support with housing, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, addiction recovery, finances, employment and work to reduce women’s contact with the Criminal Justice System.
Basis works with women (those who identify as) and non-binary people who work in the sex industry and women and young people who are sexually exploited. Their purpose is to empower people to make safe and healthy choices by offering information, support and options.
WomenCentre provides holistic, one-stop services at their centres in Huddersfield, Dewsbury and Halifax and in the community.
Their wide-ranging services include emotional and practical support on issues such as debt, benefits, mental or physical health, domestic violence, counselling, training and development and much more.
Ashiana Sheffield has over 30 years’ experience working with Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee (BAMER) adults, children and young people fleeing domestic and sexual abuse, including forced marriage, human trafficking, female genital mutilation, gang violence and ‘honour’ based violence.
The Angelou Centre is a Black‑led, women‑only organisation based in Newcastle upon Tyne offering trauma‑informed support to Black, Asian, minoritised and refugee women and children across the North East. Services include culturally sensitive counselling and therapy, ISVA/IDVA advocacy, safe accommodation, wellbeing courses and social groups, legal advice on immigration and protective violence issues, training for professionals, and outreach. They support survivors of domestic abuse (including honour-based and forced marriage), sexual violence, trafficking, childhood abuse, and female genital mutilation.
