Our CEO Sarah Benson represented Ruhama at the 62nd Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations in March. Th
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SPRING NEWSLETTER 2018
Ruhama attend 62nd Commission on the Status of Women at the UN Headquarters in New York Our
CEO Sarah Benson
represented Ruhama at
the 62nd Commission on the Status of Women at the
United Nations in
March. This year, Ireland
Entitled "Presenting Challenges & Considering Solutions to Sex Trafficking and Other Forms of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Women and
chaired the event and as NGO members of the
Girls", the energising event was a great success.
Irish Delegation to CSW62, Ruhama was honoured
Sarah spoke about the
to partner with the Irish Mission to the UN to hold
between support services, police and
official side event. This was addressed by Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason and the an
our
Minister for State at the Department of Justice & Equality,
David Stanton.
need for collaboration
healthcare providers to ensure a holistic response to women's support needs.
partner organisations
Fellow
gave perspectives from
Lebanon, Mexico and the United States.
WHAT'S INSIDE: Ruhama at CSW62
1st Anniversary of SOA
The 'Andreea' Video
Pictured: Siobhan Mullally (GRETA), Minister David Stanton, Ghada Jabbour (KAFA), Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, Grégoire Théry (CAP International), Sarah Benson
#SEXPLOITED in Paris
Bernadina's Story
Fundraising Updates
#IWD2018
Bridge to Work
(Ruhama), Cherie Jimenez (EVA project), Rita Hernández (Comisión Unidos Vs Trata)
advocacy and awareness-raising work and The week was filled with
strategic meetings. Ruhama
survivor partner allies. CAP
engaged with international
activists
and
International, which is chaired by Sarah Benson, convened meetings
Jewellery Classes
with the Coalition Against Trafficking
Pictured: Sarah Benson, Mary Mazzio, director of #IAmJaneDoe
in Women, SPACE International and others to discuss current challenges
DONATE HERE GET SUPPORT
and solutions to reducing the global prostitution system. Further
crucial meetings took place exploring new technology to
fight
against online prostitution and sex Sarah Benson speaks at a
VOLUNTEER
trafficking and new positive alliances were forged.
#CSW62 side event
#CSW62 Highlight: Formal Meeting with UN Secretary General António Guterres A particular highlight of the week was a formal
UN Secretary General António Guterres, and three CAP International members, including Ruhama and CAP Executive meeting between the
Director. The discussion focused on the need for UN
human rights legislation and language related to prostitution. The CAP delegation called on the Agencies to adhere to agreed
Also discussed was the 2003 Secretary General’s Bulletin Special containing “measures for protection from sexual
the purchase of sex by UN staff is considered an abuse of power and as a form of exploitation. The need for UN peacekeepers exploitation and sexual abuse,” whereby
and staff to be held to account for any
UNSG to ensure that UN Agencies do not endorse
breach of this measure has been highlighted
the full decriminalisation of prostitution, which
by recent scandals involving staff of
facilitates the exploitation of women and girls, but
development agencies buying sex from among
decriminalisation of prostituted persons, as compatible with human rights law. only the
the often vulnerable populations they are mandated to support.
Pictured: Sarah Benson (Ruhama), Mickey Meji (Embrace Dignity, South Africa), António Guterres (UN Secretary General), Ghada Jabbour (KAFA, Lebanon), Grégoire Théry (Executive Director of CAP International).
Credit UN Photo/Manuel Elias.
Organisations mark anniversary of new law tackling sex buyers by calling on government for swifter implementation On
27th March 2018,
Ruhama, the Immigrant
Council of Ireland and other NGOs and partners gathered outside the Dáil to call for
swifter implementation
of the Criminal Law
(Sexual Offences) Act 2017 to tackle the exploitation inherent in Ireland's sex trade.
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Read full press release online
WATCH THE VIDEO
'What Irish Sex Buyers Are Really Thinking' video launches We launched the video '
What Irish Sex Buyers
Are Really Thinking' this January to showcase the results of ' A Penny For Your Thoughts ' - a European multi-city sex trafficking awarenessraising project we took part in. The project was designed by artist Marian van der Zwaan to
Our
video
was based on the experiences of
Ruhama in Dublin. We revealed more about the contact ‘Andreea’ received and the
of what Irish sex buyers
cold reality
really think about the
women they pay for sex, in their own words. The video drew
nationwide attention
and press,
raise awareness of the issue of sex trafficking
sparking a renewed conversation on the
and to highlight attitudes towards women in
attitudes of male sex buyers and the experience
prostitution, prompted by
public engagement
with six advertisements in six different cities of women who appeared to be selling sex.
of those who are sex trafficked to Ireland.
Read more about the project at:
http://penny.mzwaan.pt/
Taking ‘Andreea’ to Paris: #SEXPLOITED Conference Ruhama went to Paris in January to attend
#SEXPLOITED , an event organised by Fondation Scelles to raise awareness of sexual exploitation
in
Europe. 'A Penny For Your Thoughts' was introduced by its creator, Marian van der Zwaan.
Sam Slater ,
from our Policy & Comms team, described how 'A Penny For Your Thoughts' was realised in Dublin,
contacts 'Andreea' received, and what they revealed about the attitudes of sex buyers in Ireland . Next, we heard detailing our analysis of the
how the project operated in Brussels, Paris and Lisbon and the event closed with a screening of 'Impasse', a film about prostitution in Switzerland.
Thank you to Fondation Scelles for organising this vital conference - we were delighted to attend - and to artist Marian van der Zwaan for creating this powerful project to raise awareness of sex trafficking across Europe. 3
A Brigher Future For
'Bernadina'
Ruhama offered support to Bernadina*, by way of a full care plan and education and development assistance to help her secure full-time, stable employment in Ireland. This is her story, as told by her Ruhama support team. Bernadina* arrived at Ruhama with a tale of
Inching forward, she progressed bit by bit.
two halves. Having moved from South America
Bernadina attended a ‘Dress for Success’
to Ireland, she had a good education, was
session to help give her a sartorial edge in
multi-lingual and armed with a strong work
interviews. She received professional
history. However, within months of arriving, she
photos of herself dressed in work attire for
began to struggle financially. She was in
LinkedIn. These were important to her: they
insecure part-time work and trying without
acted as a source of inspiration for a
success to find affordable housing amidst a
professional future and made her “feel
rental crisis when she entered prostitution as a
good about herself and her body”, offering
means of survival.
a sense of ownership and control.
On arriving at Ruhama, Bernadina’s selfesteem was at an all-time low. She felt her skills and experience had been rendered useless. Oscillating between anger and sadness, she decided to seek support from Ruhama to upskill, find secure employment and
"I could learn with my classmates. It made me feel good and I found it inspiring”."
to eventually leave prostitution. Bernadina visited Ruhama weekly, “working Bernadina began with a full care plan from our
practically towards my future”. Supported
casework team, tailored to her specific needs
by the team through the process, she
and goals. Accessing counselling was a priority
focused on her CV, applications and
for her. She attended group classes, our
getting job interviews with employers.
'Shaping Your Future' course and took advantage of our individual study support. She valued the support of other women in the same situation as her. “I could learn with my classmates. I liked seeing them improving their goals and strengths too. It made me feel good and I found it inspiring”.
*Some details have been changed to protect the woman’s identity
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The work paid off. Bernadina secured a full-time job in customer services with a reputable company and utilises her multi-lingual skills every day. We wish Bernadina the very best of luck for her bright future.
Fundraising Updates The Silent Scream: International Women's Day 2018 Lara Keegan, who organised a 24 hour sponsored silence on International Women's Day to raise funds for Ruhama. Lara raised €1500+, A HUGE thank you to our supporter
which will help support our services to women affected by prostitution and sex trafficking.
Here's what inspired Lara to run the event: "I know I've a responsibility to use my position to support and advocate for the women and girls whose voices are not heard;
"I've a responsibility to use my position to support and advocate for the women and girls whose voices are not heard."
I wanted to engage people, particularly men, in this conversation and bring awareness to the reality of prostitution as a form of oppression and gender-based violence".
UCD Women's Graduate Association: Annual Bridge Night UCD Women's Graduate Association held a charity bridge night in aid of Ruhama's work in March. It took The
place in the Mount Merrion Community Centre, with a game of bridge, supper and a raffle.
A BIG thank you to Rita, Carmel and everyone involved in organising - a fantastic night was had.
Ruhama Needs YOU: VHI Women's Mini Marathon It's time to
#Run4Ruhama! You can support the vital work
Ruhama do for women affected by prostitution and sex trafficking by signing up to run the VHI Women's Mini Marathon.
Register over on
www.vhiwomensminimarathon.ie/
and when you're done, contact our team (
[email protected] / 01 836 0292) to let us know you're taking part in June and we'll send you a
sponsorship pack and FREE Ruhama t-shirt.
Use hashtag #Run4Ruhama on social! #Run4Ruhama!
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International Women's Day 2018 Making Gift Bags and Starting Conversations: #IWD2018 To mark the week, our Outreach Van team gave out
gift bags
to
the women we support full of useful toiletries and treats. A BIG well done to the team members who pulled this together.
Sheila Crowley, our Services Manager, also attended an
#IWD2018 event with the Tintean Housing Association in Waterford to discuss prostitution in Ireland Gift bags distributed to women
and the best ways to help women who access support services. Thanks for having us!
we support on #IWD2018
Pictured: Rebecca Beegan (Waterford Area Partnership), Claire O’Sullivan (Tintean), Tracy Tobin (HSE), Sheila Crowley, Dana O’Byrne (Tintean)
Jewellery Making Classes at Ruhama: Creating New Pieces "I learn so much from the women, we learn from each other." Quote from Laura, who volunteers at Ruhama teaching women how to create unique jewellery in a relaxing, open space.
Do you know an employer who could help Ruhama? As part of our Bridge to Work Employment Programme, we're seeking employers who could help Ruhama by offering paid work placements to the women we support. Want to know more about the benefits of this scheme or to recommend someone?
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Contact Elaine at
[email protected] 