EMBARGO: Immediate Release
Enquiries: Debbie Toughey
Date: 25 April 2007
Mobile: +27 79 252 7598

For many years, DFL has been involved with practical assistance programs for prostitutes and therefore welcomes the Government’s latest plan to help prostitutes who want to get out of the business. These measures are more intelligent and proactive than the old mantra of ‘legalise it’. The legalization of prostitution in other countries has miserably failed to achieve the desired result of reducing crime, but South Africa now appears to be tackling the root problem.

According to Meshack Hadebe, MEC for Social Development in KZN, R24 million is being made available for poverty relief, part of which will be used to assist prostitutes in the province by providing skills training and funds to start small businesses.

The recognition by Government of the circumstances that drive many people to sell their bodies to survive is encouraging. Many prostitutes support entire families and the lack of employment opportunities leaves them very few choices, often driving them to the streets and braving the dangers of the trade. The money made through prostitution cannot balance the cost of the physical, emotional and psychological damage, and requires more than financial assistance to repair.

This is especially true when the person is also a victim of human trafficking and has been forced into prostitution, often enduring unimaginable cruelty. As South Africa develops a system to identify and assist these victims, Government will need to inject more funds into the project. DFL, however, cautions that good control measures need to be instituted to prevent people from “flirting” with prostitution simply to get access to these funds. There are disturbing reports of girls engaging in high risk sexual behavior to become pregnant or even HIV positive to qualify for state grants. Government should rather strengthen reliable and experienced non-governmental organisations in the field to continue their efforts to assist ex-prostitutes.

DFL is a non profit organization comprising a membership of more than 1400 medical professionals worldwide and works at grassroots level with prostitutes wanting to leave the trade, as well as providing medical and legal assistance. DFL recognizes that the practice of prostitution contributes to the spread of the HIV/AIDS and offers free HIV testing from its crisis centre in Durban’s Point area.

For more information, go to: www.doctorsforlifeinternational.com