Description
Project purpose is to develop a system of support, assistance and constant access to legal, social, medical and psychological advisory services for sex workers, combined with periodic community work carried out by means of street working and party working techniques in the environment of project beneficiaries. Establishment of a “Safety Net" drop-in center. There will be three channels of support: street working in the streets, clubs and agencies, advisory services in the facility, and networking. Project will mitigate the process of social exclusion of sex workers. Through advisory services, the number of sex workers and their clients with HIV and other STDs will be reduced. A team of street workers, party workers specializing in the issues related to prostitution and peer-educators will be trained. Project promoter is going to strengthen cooperation with domestic and international partners for experience sharing and learning. Project will reach out to at least 500 sex workers.
Summary of project results
"According to estimates paid sexual services are provided by 18,000-20,000 persons in Poland (Human Rights Report: Poland, 2009). Moral changes and development of new technology caused increase of availability and changes in the forms of providing sex services. Whereas the risks faced by sex workers (i.e. sexually transmitted diseases, violence, low self-esteem, sexual and emotional problems in contact with a long-term partner, unwanted pregnancy) do not change. The aim of the project was to improve safety of sex workers through establishing an integrated support system for persons providing sex services in Warsaw. Thanks to the project realization 748 persons obtained advice in regard to safety of sexual contacts and sex working. A safe place (drop-in centre) was founded, where persons providing sex services may obtain support and benefit professional guidance concerning legal issues, STDs, addictions and social matters. Assistance was provided simultaneously through street working in the streets, party working in escort agencies and sex clubs for MSM (men who have sex with men) and networking on sites and dating chats. Team of 15 street workers and party workers was trained and comprehensively prepared for the field work. Solid contacts with persons working in the streets, in escort agencies and clubs were established. Co-operation was started with 10 escort agencies hiring sex workers (over 100 women gained support) and 7 clubs and sex clubs for MSM (about 430 persons). 27 persons obtained therapeutic help. A team of trained peer educators - social allies - was established, who assist in educational activities among women and men providing sex services in Warsaw (4 persons). In total 748 persons, including over 500 persons providing sex services benefited various activities. Foundation Psychology of Health Studio provided a therapeutic support for sex workers. Input of the PION – Prostitutes interest organization in Norway to the project consisted in training the street and party workers."
Summary of bilateral results
A training course and two study visits (to Norway and Poland, respectively) were organised with a view to strengthen co-operation with the Partner organisation, get in touch with other institutions, and learn more about new and effective work methods in terms ofa support system and permanent legal, social, medical, and psychological aid for sex workers (persons providing sexual services). A representative of Gay and Lesbian Health Norway (Helseutvalget) was invited to Poland to deliver a training course expanding the professional and personal capacity of "Safety Net" project staff. Furthermore, "Safety Net" representatives travelled to Norway to improve their knowledge of local solutions in the field of support systems and legal, social, medical, and psychological aid for sex workers. Partner organisation experts invited to Warsaw were presented with operations of the Polish system and shared their knowledge and experience.