Action for REACH OUT
1. Project Description
Project Title:
Structured social education project (3-year project)
Aims and Objectives:
Research (Wong et al, Quality of Life) revealed that inequality before the law and
health system makes sex workers vulnerable to exploitation by clients and employers
and intimidation by health service providers. The ultimate goal of this three-year
project is a shift in community knowledge and understanding of women workers in
this “irregular trade”.
Description of the Project:
Through the launching of a public education programme, together with sex workers
peer educators, to raise general awareness of the realities of the lives and work of sex
workers in Hong Kong.
Target groups include
a. youth and university group;
b. women NGOs;
c. general public
At the same time, the production of three educational booklets for distribution during
outreach service during the three-year period.
Total Amount Requested:
US$63,450.00 (please refer to appendix A for breakdown)
Project Background
The sex industry is an open secret in Hong Kong and an inseparable part of social and
economic life. However, societal attitudes towards sex work are ambiguous and
controversial and Hong Kong’s laws regulating the industry criminalize many aspects
of the work, while maintaining that sex work per se is not illegal. This creates a
“grey area” for workers in this industry, who are systematically subject to legal
procedures for violating these various regulations, and thus de facto “criminalized”.
Sex workers are also marginalized due to the nature of their job and their internalized
stigmatization has further prevented them from seeking mainstream assistance and
services. Unlike many other workers, who are able to have a parallel living style
with personal, family and work relations, they are not able to share their feelings
about their work with friends, immediate family and relatives.
The legal and social constraints governing the sex industry, coupled with the specific
nature of the work, have led to a complex of physical and mental health issues
confronting sex workers, which require knowledge and sensitivity from both public
and private health professionals who are in the position to treat sex workers or address
these issues on a policy level. Unfortunately, many health professionals working
with sex workers are prejudiced against sex workers, and the public health system
does not have the flexibility to accommodate the irregular working hours of sex
workers, who therefore face many obstacles to accessing health care services. This
social and legal insecurity experienced by sex workers lead to great psychological
pressures and heightened vulnerability to health risks.
The situation of sex workers reflects and perpetuates historical inequalities and double
standards in relation to women and men, workers and clients, owners and staff.
Through the semi-illegality of the sex industry, sex workers are denied the protection
other workers have a right to expect (e.g. the right to negotiate the terms and
conditions of their employment, the right to a healthy and safe working environment
and freedom from sexual harassment). This inequality before the law makes sex
workers vulnerable to intimidation and exploitation by clients and employers.
Mechanisms are needed to increase perception of self-esteem and to break down
current high levels of professional and public stigmatization revealed in research
(Wong et al, Quality of Life).
Organization Background:
Action for REACH OUT (AFRO) was established as a non-governmental and
charitable organization in 1993 to offer services and support to women working in the
sex industry in Hong Kong. Our main goal is to encourage and facilitate these
women to form their own support groups. We strive to offer an environment of
openness and honesty where the women can turn in times of need.
AFRO acts as a referral agency for health screening, legal advice, counseling and, if
necessary, temporary shelter. We conduct informal sessions on legal rights, health
education, family counseling as well as skills training.
AFRO’s services are in line with the World Health Organization’s description of
sexual health as “the integration of the somatic, emotional, intellectual and social
aspects of sexual well-being in ways that are positively enriching and that enhance
personality, communication and love”.
2. Current Status
We are still securing funding for this project.
3. Amount Requested and beneficiaries
US$63,450.
This structured education programme will benefit the following groups:
1. 6 sex worker representatives – they will have the chance to go to meet the public
and share their own experiences. This exercise boosts their self-confidence.
2.
General public, youth group/universities students, members of women’s NGOs –
to provide an opportunity for reflection and better understand the reality of
women working in the sex industry in the hope to eliminate discriminations
against female sex workers.
3.
3 sets of educational materials are used during outreach to sex workers to raise
awareness of general health issues of women. This includes both physical and
psychological health issues. Approximately 2,000 female sex workers will
receive the educational materials per run.
4. Relationship with HER Fund and oversight of the project
Progress reports as well as evaluations of the programme will be provided on regular
intervals. Copies of the outreach educational material will be sent to funder and all
publications will be acknowledged.
5. Mission Statement
Every individual should have their personal freedom, dignity and basic human rights
protected and promoted.
The society should embrace diversity and facilitate the efforts and participation of all
sectors to bring about the necessary social change so that all people can enjoy their
basic human rights.
Therefore, AFRO works for the social inclusion of female sex workers and the
enhancement of their life options.
6. No. of staff
7 full-time staff and 1 part-time staff
7. Contact person
Nancy Leung, Executive Director
Budget details breakdown:
APPENDIX A
Year 1
US$
Salary: Education Officer (1/3 FTE) at US$1,500
Year 2
US$
Year 3
US$
Total
Budget
US$
18,000
18,000
18,000
54,000
2,650
2,650
2,650
7,950
Translation fee:
400
400
400
1,200
Travel allowance for staff to go outreaching:
100
100
100
300
Educational material costs
Printing cost:
Grand Total:
63,450
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