THE UGLY TRUTH OF ST KILDA'S TRADE IN FLESH AND MISERY

They have been abused by their fathers. Beaten by their boyfriends. They
are mentally ill. Uneducated. They are St Kilda's street prostitutes.

A new study has found that their paths are marked with drug addiction,
childhood trauma and homelessness.

The study, by the Sacred Heart Mission, in St Kilda's Grey Street, surveyed
65 women with whom it had contact in one month. Of the 65 women, 34 were
prostitutes.

Port Phillip Council estimates there are about 100 women sex workers
operating in the area.

Mission chief executive Mark Nicklen, who sent the report to the State
Government yesterday, said: "These women lead tragic lives. They need our
help in order to survive, as well as our encouragement to turn their lives
around."

Principal researcher Dr Gaye Mitchell said a breakdown of the information
relating to prostitutes showed:

All had been sexually abused as children.

All were either living in an abusive relationship or had suffered domestic
violence.

Most were homeless or in unstable housing arrangements, had never worked
except as prostitutes and had left school in year 10 or earlier.

All had either been removed from home as children or had some contact with
child welfare agencies.

Of the 15 women whose mental state was known, 13 had been diagnosed
mentally ill. Dr Mitchell said that 12 of the 34 women had children, but
only two had their children living with them; 22 were current or former
heroin users.

The report was released as a group of residents, the Port Phillip Action
Group, plans a protest march tomorrow against alleged government inaction
over the street sex and drug scene.

Attorney-General Rob Hulls will meet residents, local councillors, traders,
sex industry representative and police next Tuesday.