Not far from the Barrowlands Ballroom, near to a new housing developments and trendy bars, are dozens of girls still selling sex on Glasgow's streets for money.There may appear to be fewer women but not much has changed in nearly two decades. They still step foot into cars with strange men to make as little as £10 and risk never returning.
Passing punters in cars gave the nod, pulled up and some even flashed their lights impatiently while we spoke to her and she smoked a cigarette to try and keep warm. Amanda, said reports of rape and sexual assault to police by sex workers about Iain Packer at the time were dismissed.“One night I was attacked by a punter who broke two of my fingers. The police told me, ‘you’ve put yourself in this position, what do you expect?’. Women were ignored and silenced. Because of who we were and what we did.”
They continued to drive Duke Street, around Glasgow Green, the quiet streets behind Tennents Brewery and desolate car parks. All places frequented by sex workers, and also previously by Packer. “I’ve been back out here for about three months. I’m out here for my kids, to feed my kids. I’ve got a few regulars and I can make £60 in one shot. But last night I made a tenner. So I’m here again.