2019 CONFERENCE PROGRAM
REGISTER NOWRed Umbrella – The Merseyside Model
Red Umbrella is the international symbol for sex worker rights across the globe.
Dc O'Hara QPM works as part of the Red Umbrella project in Merseyside Police and has held the role since December 2017.
The workshop will focus on the unique role of a UK detective. Their role being the investigator of crimes against those working within the sex industry and also to be their liason to the Police service. The workshop will look at how this works, the history of policing sex work in Merseyside, what the aims of the project are and some positive outcomes already achieved. There will also be an opportunity to hear the lived experience of the Detective so far
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Background to Red Umbrella
In 2006, the then Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe QPM made the decision to treat crimes against sex workers as Hate Crime.
This is known as the Merseyside Model.
In 2017 the Merseyside Police and Crime commissioners office was successful in a bid to the violence against women and girls campaign for funding for the project. The role is to investigate crimes against sex workers, working with all Genders, all orientations and working with a number of partner agencies.
Tracy O'Hara QPM is the dedicated detective for Red Umbrella, carrying out her role within the protecting vulnerable persons unit which encompasses hate crime investigations.
Tracy has worked for more than 22 years in the UK police service and is also the National LGBT+ network co chair alongside Detective Chief Supt Clint Blackburn.
In 2017 Tracy was awarded the Queens Police medal for distinguished services to policing specifically her LGBT+ work which was presented by Prince Charles at a ceremony at Buckingham palace.
Tracy is a previous recipient of the IAWP officer of the year.
Useful Twitter contacts:
@msohara71
@redumbrellaCL
@basisyorkshire
@nationaluglymug
@RosieCa27236598