A COUNCIL service that a murdered sex worker reached out to around two decades ago supported nearly 60 women to leave prostitution last year.

Emma Caldwell, 27, was cruelly killed in 2005 by Iain Packer - who went on to hide her body.

The 51-year-old, described as a “calculating sexual predator”, was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison today.

Glasgow Times: As well as murder, he was convicted of raping nine women among dozens of sex offences spanning 26 years.

A trial at Glasgow High Court heard how Packer was a prolific user of sex workers who had described it as an “addiction”.

It has since been revealed that Emma had accessed support from Base 75 – now known as Routes Out – which has been running in Glasgow since 1989.

Following Packer's sentencing, the operations manager revealed that women currently involved in street-based prostitution tell staff about the physical and sexual violence they often face in Glasgow. 

Some of the women who gave evidence during Packer’s trial were also previously supported by the confidential service – which provides one-to-one holistic support and advocacy for women involved in on-street and off-street prostitution.

They can access support such as medical services, counselling, benefits, legal advice and accommodation, as well as safety advice, free condoms and a needle exchange.

From April to December 2023, Routes Out helped 97 women and in 2022/23, the service supported 57 women to leave prostitution, although they don't have to want to exit to access the full service.

Glasgow Times: Solicitor Aamer Anwar, beside Emma's mum Margaret Caldwell and other family members outside court Solicitor Aamer Anwar, beside Emma's mum Margaret Caldwell and other family members outside court (Image: PA)In a statement, Bronagh Andrew, Routes Out's operations manager, said: “We are full of admiration for the strength and composure of Emma’s mother during her long fight for justice for her daughter and are relieved that Emma’s killer is behind bars where he can no longer harm women.

“Women involved in prostitution are some of the most vulnerable in society. Sheer survival repeatedly forces them into situations which are inherently dangerous, and they routinely take risks that no-one else would ever voluntarily agree to take.

“We have long recognised the harm caused to women through prostitution and have continuously provided specialist, non-judgemental and confidential support services for women selling or exchanging sex in the city.

“Sadly, while deeply troubled by the brutality described by the women giving evidence in this case, staff in our frontline service reflected that women currently involved in street-based prostitution disclose similar accounts of physical and sexual violence as routine experiences at the hands of men paying for sex in the city.

“Prostitution is fundamentally a form of violence against women and we believe the key to changing attitudes and improving women’s safety is to robustly challenge the demand created by men who pay for sex.

“We support the Scottish Government’s recent strategy outlining a national framework to tackle demand for this form of gender-based violence and are committed to working in partnership with others to ensure we prevent future harm to vulnerable women like Emma.”