Sad death of Destiny

Published: 19 August, 2010

• WE were sad and shocked about the murder of Destiny Lauren (pictured) at her home in Kentish Town. 

It is encouraging that the murderer has been brought to justice and convicted for this horrible crime.

As a network of sex workers and ex-sex workers based in Kentish Town, we send our heartfelt sympathy to Ms Lauren’s family, friends and others who loved her. The comments by her family members and neighbours quoted in your August 12 report touched all our hearts.  

Although we didn’t know Ms Lauren, we know something of the life and struggle of women like her and the courage it takes to live it. The sympathetic coverage of Ms Lauren’s death is a clear indication that the public supports sex workers and believes that women’s safety should be the first priority. The previous government took the opposite path in forcing through the Policing & Crime Act, which is pushing the sex industry even further underground – a green light to violence against all sex workers and all women.  
Cari Mitchell
For the English Collective of Prostitutes,
NW5