New program offers new life for local prostitutes

LYNN – Whether it?s to make ends meet, feed an addiction or buy their next meal, city prostitutes put themselves in serious danger to earn as little as $5.The gritty lifestyle instills a hard exterior and low self-esteem, which Melissa Grieco, clinical supervisor at CAB Health and Recovery Services, said results in women becoming nearly incapable of expressing their emotions.?They struggle with relationships and find it hard to even accept a hug from someone, to hold hands or have any type of physical contact,” she said.?Sometimes they have marriages, kids, college degrees and jobs? It?s just something that they do,” she said.Grieco said a new program offered through CAB is working to give embattled prostitutes a fresh start at life.The SARAH program, which stands for Safe Action Achievement and Healing, was formed in November 2010 as an eight week group and individual therapy session, which offers a safe space to share and discuss the circumstances that led them to the sex trade. There are currently six women in the group.?The women range in age from their late teens to mid-50s and are from all over the North Shore,” she said. “It?s a huge struggle when you?re in the sex trade because it?s a way of making money and is hard for them to give up.”The program was named after Sarah “Saartjie” Baartman, who was born around 1790 in South Africa, orphaned and then sold into slavery.Baartman caught the attention of Dutch slave owners and was sent to perform in “freak shows.”When she was no longer a draw to crowds, Baartman began to drink heavily and turned to prostitution to support herself before she died in 1815.Baartman?s tragic tale of exploitation caught Grieco?s eye, who said her story serves as an inspiration for every woman with a difficult tale to tell.?The majority of women that work in the sex trade have been abused and have experienced dangerous situations and they have often have flashbacks from it,” she said. “It?s a huge risk in safety. And yes, drugs are involved, but that?s not the only reason.”Women who take part in the group are either referred by the court system following an arrest, or elect to get help on their own. Once involved, Grieco said the women work on their goals, objectives, getting new jobs and finding housing.?What can come from this group is so significant and powerful,” she said. “The older women really open their arms to the younger girls and pass down their wisdom. Everybody that comes through the program is trying to make significant changes.”In support of the program, Ward 4 City Councilor Richard Colucci recently spoke to officials in the Probation Department at Lynn District Court with the hope of making the course mandatory for those with prostitution offenses.?I?ve seen more (prostitutes) than usual on the streets lately, and I?m sure that when they were 10 years old, they didn?t want to grow up to be a drug addict or a prostitute,” he said. “So, even if we can save one soul through this program, that would be great.”