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INCOGNITO: A SERVICE PROTECTING IDENTITIES,
EMPOWERING SEX WORKERS
PROJECT BRIEF
OBJECTIVE
Establishing secure and trusted platforms or networks that connect WOMEN sex workers with service providers who are sensitive to their anonymity needs
MY ROLE
User Researcher
Service Designer
Visual Designer
Storyteller
METHODS & TOOLS
TIME FRAME
User Persona
4 months
THEMES
Public Sector
Social Impact
Service Design
The Context
Sex workers are adults who receive money or goods in exchange for consensual sexual services or erotic performances, either regularly or occasionally.
In the UK there are around 105,000 sex workers out of which 32000 are in London.
Legal scenario in UK
The exchange of sex for money is legal, but on- street working, managing and operating brothels and advertising sex work services are illegal
To support sex workers, more than 54 charities have been set up in the UK out of which more than 20 are in london. Collectively these charities receive a funding of more than £100 Mil.
The Problem
All problems faced by sex workers empirically still exist.
There is an innate fear of discovery among them. To cope with this fear, they have chosen to remain anonymous. This is usually done through giving out fake details, maintaining aliases etc. However, being anonymous also leads to a multitude of problems.
The Process
Our project demands high levels of sensitivity and understanding, as it involves supporting a vulnerable community. To meet this challenge, we established values that constantly guided our actions and decisions.
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Facilitated research with limited access
Drew INSIGHTS from research
Generated Concepts
Compared journeys of getting an abortion for a sex worker vs a non sex worker, engaged in brainstorming sessions to explore concepts such as access cards and leveraging blockchain technology to ensure anonymity.
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Theory of Change
IF WE BREAK THE ANONYMITY PARADOX AND BRIDGE THE KNOWLEDGE GAP BETWEEN CHARITIES AND SERVICE PROVIDERS WE CAN MAKE SERVICES MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THEM
Mission Statement
How might we establish secure and trusted platforms or networks that connect WOMEN sex workers with service providers who are sensitive to their anonymity needs and can offer appropriate, non-judgmental support?
Conducted Workshop
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Aim: Conduct an activity to gauge people's responses in situations requiring anonymity.
Generate awareness and empathy for the everyday experiences of sex workers.
Activity: Individuals had to navigate anonymity in different contexts (digital, media, public, family, etc.).
Provided them with an option to select a situation card and character card
Inference: Value of relying on trusted individuals in terms of uncertainity and how services have to be brought closer for better access
The Proposal
Our service proposal aims to empower women sex workers by providing them with anonymous access to essential services through:
1. A comprehensive directory providing information about available services and charities.
2. Secure communication channels for direct messaging between sex workers and service providers, safeguarding confidentiality through encrypted messaging.
3. Facilitation and management of drop-in healthcare services at accredited charities, providing seamless access to essential healthcare support.
4. Repurposing sex workers into value-added roles within our organization, recognizing their skills through
industry-standard accreditation
Stakeholder Map
Journey Map
Service components
1. A COMPREHENSIVE DIRECTORY
A centralised listing of support charities and service providers.
-Categorization based on services offered.
-Online accessibility for sex workers in need of support.
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2. SECURE COMMUNICATION
Anonymously ask questions and receive answers through secure chat
-Secure chat platform for anonymous questions and answers from charities and services.
-Ensuring privacy and confidentiality in communications.
3. DROP-IN SERVICES
Convenient access to GP services at specific charities.
-Establish designated drop-in locations at specific charities for sex workers to access GP services.
-Create a welcoming and supportive environment within the charity premises.
-Address their healthcare needs in a private and confidential setting.
-Assign special "HOST" symbols to charities for recognition
4. REPURPOSING INITIATIVES
Opportunities for professional growth and industry accreditation.
Implement training programs, apprenticeships, and industry-accredited courses.
Facilitate a smooth and supported process for career change and growth.
Empower sex workers to explore diverse career paths beyond their current profession.
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Service Blueprint
Our organization operates on a three-tier internal structure. We plan to hire sex workers as Partnerships Managers, Community Engagement Supervisors, and Training Coordinators to leverage their expertise and lived experiences in supporting our mission effectively. our offerings will cater to the needs of sex workers especially because we have sex workers in our team.
Business Model
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Value Proposition & Creation
Scalability
Incognito is also focused on scalability to encompass multiple other services such as financial, housing and legal assistance.
Incognito will enable us to make a lasting difference not only for sex workers but for all vulnerable communities, fostering a more inclusive and supportive society.
The Impact
How do we plan on measuring it?
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Data collection through surveys, interviews, and quantitative metrics to assess the service's impact on mental health, healthcare utilization, and well-being of sex workers.
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Evaluation of the reduction in emergency service visits and associated costs for the healthcare system.
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Monitoring social perception and attitude changes toward sex workers and their rights
The Conclusion
This service design project endeavors to empower sex workers by creating a safe, confidential, and inclusive environment for accessing essential services. By embracing the principles of anonymity, value-added roles, and industry-standard accreditation, our organization seeks to make a positive impact on the lives of sex workers, society, and the government, fostering a more compassionate and supportive community for all.
