[Brussels, 23 August 2012] Ruhama have launched their 2011 Annual Report.
In its press release, Ruhama unveils key figures about its work towards prostituted persons: 91 Trafficking Victims Assisted by Ruhama in 2011, 200 women assisted from 36 different countries. it also gives information about the reality of prostitution and trafficking in Ireland. Read below the press release to find out more.
Ruhama Press Release – 22 August 2012
91 Trafficking Victims Assisted by Ruhama in 2011
200 women assisted from 36 different countries…
Ruhama launched its 2011 Annual Report today (Wednesday 22nd August) and reported an 18% increase of women accessing its services.
The globalised nature of the Irish sex trade, which has been a growing phenomenon over the last decade, is again reflected in this year’s report; – the 200 women assisted in Ruhama’s casework came from 36 different countries. Ruhama assisted 91 suspected victims of sex trafficking in 2011; 22 of these were new cases.
Sarah Benson said: “Despite an extremely challenging funding climate, Ruhama managed to not only sustain but enhance its unique service delivery in 2011. The organisation supported 241 women; 200 in casework and 41 exclusively through street outreach, representing an increase of 18% on 2010.”
While some women engage for short term support, the majority seeking help from Ruhama have a complexity of issues and engage in long term casework. In 2011, 44% of women were new referrals to casework, while 56% were ongoing cases, engaging with the service over a number of years.
Valerie Judge, Chairperson of Ruhama said: “There is no other service in Ireland to assist women in the often complex process of exiting from prostitution, despite the reality that up to and over 90% of those in prostitution wish to get out. Ruhama is committed to remaining a supportive presence for women affected by prostitution and sex trafficking, in their often dangerous personal journeys.”
While each woman has an individual story and unique experience of prostitution; the harm and violence inherent in the sex trade remains consistent in all their stories, irrespective of whether they were involved in street-based or indoor prostitution.
Sarah Benson said: “The experiences women reported to Ruhama in 2011 sadly echo those reported by women every year for the last 22 years of Ruhama’s existence; physical and sexual assault, degrading and humiliating verbal abuse, hypervigilance and constant tension, feelings of isolation – from other people and from the rest of society, panic attacks, depression, and suicidal feelings.”
Sarah Benson went on to say: “Most people in society know that prostitution is harmful; no parent this week, as they sit with their children discussing CAO offers will be considering prostitution as a career option for their son or daughter.”
In this year’s report, a woman named Miriam, tells how she got involved in prostitution; believing it to be a short term solution at a time of personal crisis. Miriam however, found herself trapped further in addiction, social isolation and stigma. Her story not only highlights the stark realities of the sex trade but also the strong resilience of this woman and her determination to exit prostitution.
Miriam said: “I never believed when I walked out on the street that first night that it would not only own me within a very short time but that it would take from me everything I thought I once was.”
Sarah Benson said: “While the number of new referrals of victims of trafficking is slightly lower than last year, we believe this decrease is not representative of the overall scale of the problem in Ireland.”
Sarah Benson said: “The changing methods of control used by traffickers are making it more difficult for authorities to identify the hard edge of trafficking.”
Sarah Benson went on to say: “The over reliance on the immigration system to detect victims of trafficking and the fact that most victims are forced to make their own escape from traffickers, if they are to access help, results in a relatively low number of victims receiving assistance in Ireland.”
In 2011, Ruhama proactively worked with services that support vulnerable young people as part of preventative work and also to help workers support any young people are affected by prostitution.
Sarah Benson said: “Ruhama has always been aware of the serious issue of underage prostitution; in particular, children who are without family supports and/or have a pre-existing experience of abuse are highly vulnerable to grooming and coercion into prostitution.”
Ruhama takes direct referrals of children in circumstances where they are ‘aging out’ towards adulthood and are also in the care of statutory services. In 2011, Ruhama supported 3 minors whose support is continuing now they have turned 18.
Sarah Benson concluded: “The Department of Justice is currently inviting submissions on the future direction of the law on prostitution. We hope people will realise this is a critical time and play their part in creating a society where no one has to be bought or sold like a commodity.”
ENDS
Contacts:
Available for interview: Sarah Benson, CEO, Ruhama – 086 600 3115
Available for interview: Gerardine Rowley, Communications & Policy Manager, Ruhama 086 259 1247
Wally Young, Young Communications, 087 247 1520
