Coming Back from Soul Destruction – Ruth Jacobs interviewed on Women Move the Soul

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Published on Women Move the Soul – 29 October 2013

We know them. We all know a woman who struggles with drugs and alcohol. Perhaps she’s a woman in your family, a friend or even a co-worker, but we know them. If you have not been a drug addict then you cannot know what they go through. You can’t imagine the pain they feel from moment to moment and the things that they are driven to do because of that addiction…. Ruth Jacobs has been there – in the very recesses of hell – and she came back to us… Read the full article on Women Move the Soul here.

In the Booth with Ruth – Kevin Jaffray, Drug Harm Reduction & Recovery Activist

Drug harm reduction and recovery activist, Kevin Jaffray, shares his experience of how harm reduction saved his life while he was in the depths of his addiction, about his work in the field now, and why he advocates for safe consumption rooms and the life saving medication, Naloxone, and much more.

Ruth Jacobs's avatarRuth Jacobs

Kevin Jaffray

How did you become involved in supporting harm reduction for drug users?

Firstly I must be clear that the harm reduction ethos does not just relate to those living with drug addiction issues or substance users. It is also concerned with the issues that surround addiction more generally and a number of other related and non related issues, public health issues, social and economic issues, evidence based policies, fighting stigma, reducing risk of blood-borne viruses (BBVs), safe rights of sex workers etc. (this list is not exhaustive).

Harm reduction is self explanatory in its title and can relate to anything that is harmful to the individual or the community in general. Its core is firmly based in practical rather than idealistic beliefs. Harm reduction (harm minimisation) can also be used in relation to human behaviours and actions towards either themselves or other human beings.

Some of the issues addressed by the…

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BBC1 Inside Out: The Merseyside Hate Crime Model of Policing Prostitution – Monday 21 Oct, 7.30pm

Inside Out - Merseyside model

The Merseyside hate crime model of policing prostitution leads the country. In these two BBC1 documentaries for Inside Out, writer Ruth Jacobs investigates why crimes against sex trade workers are going unpunished, clearly showing the urgency for the Merseyside model to be made UK wide to prevent more rapes and save lives, taking more rapists and murderers off the streets. The Association of Chief Police Officers recommended all forces adopt the hate crime model in their Strategy & Supporting Operational Guidance for Policing Prostitution and Sexual Exploitation in 2011 but as yet, no other force has taken this action.

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BBC1 Inside Out: Merseyside Model documentary – London version.

BBC1 Inside Out: Merseyside Model documentary – North West version.

As well as airing on BBC1 in the London and North West regions, the London and North West Inside Out documentaries can be watched across the UK on Sky channel 974 and Freesat 950 for London, and Sky 978 and Freesat 955 for the North West. The London edition is also on the BBC1 HD channel on Freeview across England and on Sky, Virgin and Freesat UK wide.

A shorter version on BBC News can be watched worldwide here.

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On BBC Radio Merseyside, Shelly Stoops, the first Independent Sexual Violence Advisor at Armistead Street Project, and Martin Fenerty, the current project manager, discuss the Merseyside hate crime model with Andy Ball (listen from 1:47 minutes).

On BBC London Radio, Ruth discusses the Merseyside model with Jo Good (listen from 1:29 minutes).

For more information on the Merseyside model click here.