For those in prostitution
People who find themselves in prostitution very often have problems with working conditions, violence, debt dependency, little or no choice regarding clients, number of clients, sexual practices, protection.
If you too have experienced violence from a pimp, clients or anyone else, you are not responsible for that violence. It does not matter what you did. No one deserves violence. It also does not matter whether you entered prostitution voluntarily or not. It doesn’t matter if you drink or take drugs. Violence is always the responsibility of the perpetrator.
At Ključ, we have worked with many survivors of trafficking and/or exploitation for prostitution. Many of them have dealt with frequent feelings of guilt, fear, shame, despair, anger… Sometimes a conversation in which a person feels heard and accepted for who they are can bring some relief. Most of these people, with a little help, have managed to change their lives for the better. .
We want to offer you a safe environment where you can say what you want to say. No one will ask you to talk about things you are not ready to talk about.
In our experience of working with people in prostitution and in various professional sources, the consequences of prostitution often manifest themselves as poor self-image, low self-esteem, loss of self-confidence, relationship problems, inability to have a partner, difficulties in sexual relations with an intimate partner, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, passivity and learned helplessness, anxiety and panic attacks, psychosomatic symptoms (insomnia, headaches, stomach problems, back pain, tremors, nausea), various addictions, self-harm, suicidality. Often, people also experience various health problems and develop chronic illnesses.
1 We are addressing female sex workers in this report, as the vast majority of people in prostitution are female. Of course, there are also male prostitutes and persons with different gender identities (e.g. transgender persons, asexual persons, non-binary persons, transvestites, etc.). The programme is open to everyone.
2 The three main symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder are: reliving the trauma (e.g. intrusive memories), persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event (e.g. avoiding conversation related to trauma, incapability to recall an important aspect of trauma) and simptoms of elevated excitement (e. g. sleeplessness, outbursts of anger, elevated caution, difficulties with concentration).Emotional numbing is also usually present, and traumatic forgetfulness is common.
Our programme aims to support people in prostitution in ways that meet their wishes and needs. We are guided by some general objectives: to relieve responsibility for traumatic experiences, to process traumatic experiences, to improve both mental and physical health, to learn and master coping skills to deal with stress without the use of alcohol or drugs, to stop self-harm, to feel an increased sense of control and empowerment, to have more recognised choices, to be able to leave prostitution, and to be supported in finding secure employment
In our programme you can take part in one or more of the following activities:
- psychosocial counselling
- psychotherapy
- learning sovenian language (for foreigners),
- accompaniment and advocacy
- therapeutic and psychoeducational workshops
- guided sports training
- informal social activities (excursions, hiking, board games, walks, visits to swimming pools, visits to exhibitions, etc.)
- help to widen social networks (help to make contacts, integration into society)
- support groups for relatives (to be set up if there is a need for such a group).
All activities are free of charge.
If you decide to leave prostitution, you will be supported in doing so. Under certain conditions, you could also join the integrated care programme with (re)integration already implemented by the Association Ključ (staying in a safe space and support for independent living).
We can be reached by e-mail info@drustvo-kljuc.si or by phone 080 17 22 (confidential and secure number) weekdays 9:00 – 13:00.
