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Justice
is a vital healer by
Rachel West “Justice
is a vital healer” was the conclusion of a self-help alternative
health workshop for those recovering from rape or sexual assault held by
the “In Defense of Prostitute Women’s Safety Project.” The
workshop, part of a series on violence against sex workers and other
women, was held last week as part of “Ladies Night” at the Mission
Neighborhood Resource Center and was co-sponsored by the Women’s
Community Clinic, SF Needle Exchange, Care Through Touch Institute and
the Metropolitan Community Foundation. The
workshop was trail-breaking in that it put together three strategies for
dealing with violence not often addressed on the same platform:
alternative healing, survival resources and ways women are organizing to
change laws and conditions that make women vulnerable to violence in the
first place. Chairing, Nell Myhand described the struggle of survivors
to get justice, compensation and effective health care as “the second
rape.” She also described the particular vulnerability faced by sex
workers because of illegality and by Black, immigrant and women of color
because of racism. Lori
Nairne, a homeopath and registered nurse, highlighted how Homeopathy, a
200-year-old safe, effective and affordable healing system, provides key
remedies for trauma and rape which have proven benefits yet have none of
the toxic side effects of mainstream drugs. Nedra
Ruiz, a criminal attorney, presented information on compensation for
rape: “You can be compensated from the state of California for moving
expenses, changing your locks, medical expenses, childcare, counseling,
funeral and other financial costs incurred from having a crime committed
against you or someone you know.” Information on exemptions from
welfare work requirements for victims of domestic violence was also made
available. Cynthia
Chang, an acupuncturist and Chinese health practitioner, described
breathing and stretching techniques for recovering from violence and
rebalancing the body. The
In Defense of Prostitute Women’s Safety project is pressing for
implementation of “Mitigating Violence Against Prostitutes,” the San
Francisco Board of Supervisors’ resolution for active enforcement of
the laws against rape and other violence against sex workers, and for
the $7.6 million currently spent each year on harassing and jailing
prostitutes to instead provide resources and services. IDPWS
was part of a monitoring team that succeeded in getting serial rapist
Jack Bokin put away for over 200 years after being released despite a
long record of attacks on prostitute women. IDPWS has worked for justice
for prostitute women who face an uphill battle when reporting violence
to the police Several
survivors of rape and violence expressed relief and encouragement to
learn about the efforts of groups such IDPWS. One workshop participant
who described her experience of being stalked by a former husband and
the horrific treatment she got seeking help said, “No woman is safe
when prostitute women aren’t safe.” The
next workshop is on Thursday, April 28, at 7 p.m. on “Sex Workers Know
Our Rights: A Self Help Legal Workshop on Safety and Protection” at
Pier 5 Law Office, 506 Broadway, in San Francisco. For more info, call
(415) 626-4114 or email sf@crossroadswomen.net. The workshops are
partially funded by the San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women.
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