When it comes to reducing prostitution in the any area, it?'s important to go beyond legislation and law enforcement; programs such as Cincinnati UnionBethel?'s ?Offthe Streets,? that reach out directly to sex workers, can make a dramatic difference. ?Off the Streets? offers education, housing, drug treatment and mental health services to women involved in prostitution to help them escape that life.
The program has been around since 2006 and78 percent of the women who participate for thirty days or more report no longer being involved in prostitution. Joining us to talk about the program are Cincinnati Union Bethel Executive Vice President and ?Off the Streets? Program Director, Mary Carol Melton; ?Off the Streets? Intake/Outreach Coordinator Carol Thornton Gamble; and ?Off the Streets? graduate Terry Bates.
Anyone who would like to participate in Off the Streets can contact the Outreach and Intake Coordinator at 513-378-2534.
"Coming Home from the Streets," a documentary by Noel Julnes-Dehner, tells the powerful story of Cincinnati women trying to leave the world of prostitution. The documentary will be shown during Cincinnati World Cinema's Oscar Shorts program, Saturday February 20 at 7 pm and Sunday, February 21 at 4 pm. For more information, click here.