Family Violence Initiative

COMPENDIUM OF PROMISING PRACTICES TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND INCREASE SAFETY OF ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN CANADA

SOCIAL CONDITIONS

Outreach to Sex Trade Workers

Program Name:

Giving Hope: Empowering Women and Communities

Organization/Community:

Prince George New Hope Society

Location:

Prince George, British Columbia

Website:

www.princegeorgenewhopesociety.ca

Goals and Objectives:

To identify and address the barriers that women, both adult and youth, face while working in sex industry in Prince George and northern B.C., reducing vulnerability to violence and increasing safety.

Target Group Description:

Women and girls working in the sex industry in the Prince George area.

Program Description:

The "Giving Hope: Empowering Women and Communities" program offers a safe drop-in centre for women working in the sex industry. Food and coffee is available and the women help in meal preparation. One to one supportive counselling is available. Women learn about the services available to them: women's shelters, treatment programs, victim services, RCMP (sex crime division), Northern HIV/AIDS Health Education Society (Positive Living North Aids Society). Workshop topics also include: street safety, self-esteem, 'bad dates', addictions, HIV, Hepatitis C, and advocacy. The drop-in centre also offers a telephone service so women can make appointments and stay in touch with family and friends.

Program Successes/Impact:

The New Hope Centre is a support and resource for women who previously had no supports or resources. The Centre is seeing changes in the women and positive responses to the programming.

Key Lesson/Challenge:

The biggest challenge is obtaining ongoing funding.

Program in operation since:

2005.

Program:

Ongoing.