New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Television makes it all look so sexy and cool but prostitution and the ties that bind are anything but....you might be simply amazed at how many different ways women and men no less find their way into the darkness of the night. However no matter how you cut it almost always it ends up that it all began due to abuse in some form. In
Houston where I live there are over 2,000 kids not adults but kids on the streets. Runaways/throwaways and the vast majority are there due to abuse by a so called loved one. I share this because 40% of them are HIV positive if they have been out there for a year. The majority of them will die in the streets one way or another if they are out there for two years or more. If you work the streets you are vulnerable.
Houston isn't alone in this situation sadly it's worldwide. Right here in our country from coast to coast prostitution is killing not only the spirit of an individual's dignity but taking away their lives in more ways as well. It's not about fish net stockings, chewing gum, and being a smart ass as television portrays it - being out there whether intended or not is about survival. That's the reality of the dark side, however, there is a better side. There are actually people in this world that care, been there, done that and want to help other women get out and find themselves again. This is happening right now but it takes money. Someone who made it out of that existence shares…. "I believe agencies like Freedom House are the most important bridge between a young woman's chance at finding herself--or death." She went on to share: "Prostitution is not a glamorous game -- it is was in fact a horror for me. In 1988 I left the county jail after serving 2 months with a bag of clothes and no place to go. I had nothing. I felt like nothing. I carried my voice and songs in me like a secret. I never thought I could survive. But I did. I went to several agencies that helped me get treatment for abuse and addiction. In five years I went from an addicted street urchin to a confident Magna Cum Laude graduate of a major University. Ironically, back then in 1988 I had met a struggling inmate named Norma Hotaling in that same county jail. We stayed in touch. Later I worked for her at SAGE Project, the agency she founded. Norma bravely taught people about the "why's" of prostitution. She was a brilliant activist and she asked the women she worked with to share their stories with the public. She helped to humanize us all. She built programs around the theory that trauma can be treated and that there was no shame or blame for those of us that choose to survive." It has taken me years and years of therapy and hard work to rebuild my life. And I share this so that others can pick up their courage. I believe agencies like Freedom House are the most important bridge between a young woman's chance at finding herself--or death. They are on the front lines and they must be commended for their work."
The numbers are vast and for many time is running out and we can look at the problem and the sheer size of the overall situation and say, "Yes I see that but I can't help all of them". It's easy to visualize this and feel overwhelmed, but what if a small donation, items to be auctioned off, coupled with other small donations saved just one life? Would it be worth it? The folks at Freedom House provide a road out and a road map back to recovery and they need donations to keep doing the work that sets the female captive free, literally. They offer up to 18 months of shelter and comprehensive services to women that have actually been forced into prostitution either through coercion, beatings, or actual threats to the individual's safety or their family's safety.
Artists How You Can Help
On July 6th in San Francisco one such place, Freedom House, will be the recipient of the blues community's generosity. Through the valiant efforts of folks like Cathy Lemons & Phil Berkowitz (The Lucky Losers),
Karen Lovely, Lisa Mann, and Ben Rice arrangements have been made with Freedom House to hold an evening of music and both a live and silent auction. Of course you cannot have an auction without items to auction off and maybe that's where you come in. In a world that seems to be going to hell fast, we, you and I, can make a difference. The hard part is done, someone's fortitude has established a base line plan and it's working right now. However, you cannot shelter and counsel abused women without financial support and as we all say, "if I could help I would" and now through this July 6th celebration of caring and sharing we can.
