GETTING SEX TRADE WORKERS OFF THE STREET

The region agreed on Tuesday to help fight what at least one local
committee considers to be a growing problem: the number of drug-addicted
female prostitutes.

The community services committee approved a $20,000 grant to help sex trade
workers get off the street and into drug rehabilitation programs, following
a presentation by Anne Tinker, Waterloo Region Sex Trade Worker Committee
co-chair. She was thrilled with the decision.

"I think that was wonderful," she said. "The committee as a whole was
unanimously supportive."

Not only did the committee approve this grant, but it was also suggested
that continued funding for the sex trade worker committee be considered for
the region's budget next year.

"That was absolutely beyond our expectations," Tinker said. "I think they
recognize that this is a growing problem."

Tinker is also executive director of the Cambridge Shelter Corp. She got
involved with the committee about eight months ago. It was a good fit with
her work at Out of the Cold, considering there is a definite crossover of
clients.

The committee counts among its goals an effort to target some of the
immediate health issues facing sex trade workers by providing support and
building links to services like drug treatment, public health, medical
clinics and social services. It also wants to provide safe time away from
the streets.

So far, the committee has been able to get an outreach worker into the
community. Heidy Choi works 21 hours a week, making contact with women on
the street.

"She goes to areas and neighbourhoods where (these) women are likely to
be," Tinker said. "It takes a long time to establish a relationship where
they'll trust you, so she spends a lot of time nurturing those relationships."

Choi carries a bag with her, stuffed with condoms, clean needles, healthy
snacks and other tools. She also visits shelters to find the women there.

"It's a long, involved process. It doesn't happen overnight," Tinker said.
"But everybody has value and everybody has gifts. And people really don't
choose to do this. They're doing what they need to do to survive."

The report to the community services committee said in general, female
street level sex trade workers with addictions in the region are involved
in prostitution to obtain drugs, usually crack cocaine.

"For them, it's just, 'how do I survive; how do I get through this day?'
Maybe if we work together we can help them make better choices," Tinker said.

In the meantime, the sex trade worker committee is hoping to help these
women be a little bit safer, while spreading education about this growing
social problem in the community.

"I think it's important for all of us to remember that it could be our
daughters. It could be our sisters. It could be our mothers," Tinker said.
"They're people. They're just like us; they aren't any different. They
could be a member of our family. We all need to look at how we deal with
things before they get out of hand."