Prostitution is flourishing in the Rose City. Some Portlanders blame it on city hall's decision to let the prostitution exclusion zones lapse. They want the zones back and more efforts made to put prostitutes in jail. Other city residents say that rehabilitation, not more police, is the answer. In the meantime, Mayor Tom Potter has announed a new initiative to fight prostitution on 82nd Ave. through enhanced enforcement and prosecution combined with treatment options. How should we deal with prostitution in our city? Do we really understand the problem of prostitution?
This week on Voices from the Edge, Jo Ann and Dave talk with Crystal Tenty of the Portland Women's Crisis Line and Leslie Peterson of the Sex Workers Outreach Coalition about their perspectives on this issue. We'll also talk with Allen Wilson of Standing Against Global Exploitation, or SAGE, a San Francisco-based holistic rehabilitation center that offers prostitutes mental health counseling and drug rehabilitation services to help them leave prostitution, heal from the trauma of sexual exploitation and begin new careers. Join us in this important discussion.
For more information on the SAGE Project, visit www.sagesf.org.
- KBOO