Reviews

Title: Impossible eh? The story of PEERS: Prostitutes Empowerment, Education and Resource Society Authors: Jannit Rabinovitch and Megan Lewis
Publisher: Save the Children Canada (2001)

Pages: 94

Link: http://142.179.70.128/4DACTION/web_Gen_2002_ShowWebDetails/BCCPA002293/Lang=En/BookBag=289701

The Story of PEERS (Prostitutes Empowerment, Education and Resource Society) is a report intended for a variety of audiences - sex trade workers, activists, social workers, teachers, policy makers, researchers and community development practitioners.  PEERS is a non-profit society located in Victoria, founded by two ex-sex trade workers in 1994 who are dedicated to empowering, educating and supporting prostitutes who are either active in the trade or attempting to leave the trade.  The organization works to encourage sex trade workers to leave the trade by offering services for sex trade workers to gain work skills and training in a non-judgmental setting.

This book's purpose is multidimensional.  The book delves into the specialize vocabulary that is used in the sex trade subculture and myths regarding the sex trade.  One of the biggest stereotypes that stood out for me as that "[Sex trade workers] all work on the street or out of sleazy bars" when the book cites that street prostitution consists of only 5-10% of total sex trade activity.  I felt that the book did a good job of contrasting misconceptions and facts regarding the sex trade. 

The book then discusses how PEERS works: creating an organization for sex trade workers run by former women in the trade who promote women leaving the industry by providing resources that they normally would be unable or unwilling to access through traditional channels.  The book elaborates into the history of PEERS. This section is particularly interesting as it describes the trials and tribulations of the development of PEERS.  The organization initially had trouble collaborating with other organizations in the area such as the Victoria Police Department.  However, PEERS learnt to incorporate academics and non-experimental people (people not involved in the sex trade industry) who provided invaluable expertise that helped the organization garner increased credibility and funding. 

Through its increased presence, PEERS was able to set up a housing unit called PEERS Place .  PEERS Place provides supportive housing and counselling for up to one year to help women make the transition from the sex trade into the mainstream of society.   Moreover, PEERS formed strong community partnerships with feminist organizations, anti-poverty groups and other social networking groups.  PEERS has also published a number of academic research reports that have furthered the study of sex trade workers.

This book serves as a good resource for people working in the social service field who would like more information on resources for sex trade workers looking to exit the industry.  In addition to the book's target audience, the information regarding the history of the organization, including its highs and lows, illuminates hurdles that many people seeking to establish their own non-profit organization will face and have to overcome to make sure their organization remains viable.

Reviewed by: Philip Cawdery, BPSc, BCCPA Director