Charis is based in South West Hertfordshire and specifically supports adult women (anyone who identifies as female) who consider themselves sex workers; whether working off street, on street or online, or exchange sex for necessities (such as rent, food, drugs, safety), or feel at risk of any of these.
Charis also offers support to women who have a history of sexual exploitation or have been trafficked.
At Charis we focus on:
We understand that the experiences of every person are unique, and so we will not make any assumptions about what someone may or may not need.
Charis aims to engage at whatever the point of need, with the utmost care and respect for each person.
We want our service to always be responsive and inclusive.
At Charis we provide a support service based on being consistent, trustworthy and transparent.
We work collaboratively and support people to get to a place where they feel empowered.
We want each person to feel validated and affirmed each time they meet with us.
We value listening and hearing what each individual that we work with has to share and say.
In order to address the varied needs of the women we work with Charis works in partnership with other specialist agencies to give women a range of support options.
Working together with other agencies ensures we can offer a holistic support package for the women we work with; it allows easy access to services and the highest standard of support.
Charis exists to give women in the sex industry the opportunity for choice again (where so many choices have previously been taken from them); a choice to exit if they wish, and a choice to rebuild a new life as they would choose to live it.
Our offer of support is always a choice and never an obligation.
Charis started in 2008 as an outreach project to people in the sex industry from a local church to address a need in the community. In 2014 Charis Tiwala became a registered charity.
We recognise that we are not experts on the sex industry therefore we endeavour to continue to change, learn, and to listen to those we work with to enable us to offer the best support that we can to those who are affected by or in the sex industry.