Would you support us as we walk 63 kilometres to raise funds for Yasha? That's 3 lots of 21 kilometres over August, September and October..
We've chosen 63 kilometres to draw attention to a statistic that's deeply sobering and relates to the violence meted out on women involved in prostitution. Research carried out across the UK a few years ago by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) indicated that 63% had suffered violence at the hands of punters. The frequency and seriousness of the violence were greatest for women involved in on-street prostitution, and the attacks they suffered were generally the most prolonged. Common themes in the ERSC report, as well as many others, include kicking, punching, sexual assault and rape.
The myth that women involved in prostitution can't be raped continues to persist. At the same time, the Crown Prosecution Service reports that some perpetrators of rape intentionally target women involved in street prostitution, thinking that they may be less likely to be believed.
The women we connect with on street have typically been drawn into prostitution as a means of survival, and many are dealing with a range of issues such as early-life trauma, addiction, mental ill health, family breakdown, poverty and homelessness. Moving forward with their lives without dedicated support is extremely difficult.
Yasha wants to change the stigmatising narrative that shames these women and to bring them into a network of safe relationships. We want to hold a mirror to their true worth, and to offer practical, emotional and spiritual support to find sustainable routes out of prostitution, addiction and violence.
Can you help us?
(You can find out more about us on our website - www.yasha.org.uk)
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