Programs & Services
Outreach Work
Once or twice a week, Streetlight conducts night monitoring in the areas where the girls are waiting for customers. We build a trust relationship with them and offer them or help: enrolling them in school again, accompany them to medical check-ups, and referral to residential based institutions.
Streetlight thematizes the risks of their activities with the young sex workers and shows ways to exit prostitution. The individual cases are monitored closely and if a girl is very young or otherwise highly endangered, rescued from the streets in collaboration with the City Social Welfare and Development CSWD and the police for her own safety.
Re-Integration in the Family
When a girl expresses the wish to exit prostitution, we will search for the best possible individual scenario for her. In general, we assume that a child should grow up in its family or with relatives as much as possible. Through home visits with the minor’s family, we determine if a reintegration is possible and desired by all involved parties.
If a reintegration is possible, we will clarify what support the child and its family need to improve the situation and problems of the family so that the girl won’t run away again. Furthermore, we will help the child re-enroll in school and, if necessary, provide psychological intervention.
The aim is to provide the minor with a perspective for a better future away from the streets and poverty – thanks to a good education. If a reintegration in the family is not possible, the girl can be transferred in a fast and unbureaucratic fashion to a facility-based NGO, from where she will be enrolled in school again.
Harm Reduction Through Awareness
& Medical Treatment
A lot of the young sex workers don’t consider themselves to be victims, but instead feel flattered that adult men are willing to pay for sexual activity with them. Furthermore, they consider prostitution as a way to earn “fast and easy money”. Before they realize that they are being abused, an attempt to bring them away from the streets makes no sense because they would return there voluntarily.
Most of the girls come from impoverished families, and as a result, they develop a sort of addiction to money as a compensation. Furthermore, most have been so neglected that any form of attention is considered positive, even if it’s the attention of sex customers.
In such cases, we first work on an accepting, but damage reduction basis, which means that the girls are informed about the possible consequences of unsafe sex and about the correct use of condoms. In conversations, they are made aware of the fact that they are just being used by these men and that they are victims with corresponding rights.
Streetlight also accompanies the girls to the City Health Office CHO for testing of HIV and other sexual transmitted diseases STD. If the result is positive, they get medication for free. The CHO also provides counseling and awareness. Also with other health problems, appointments with doctors are made and the costs taken over by Streetlight.
Assistance in Court Cases
According to the law in the Philippines, every minor involved in prostitution is a victim of child trafficking. However, if a girl has a pimp, it is considered as “qualified trafficking” and the girls are encouraged to file charges against their pimps who often force them into prostitution, put them under the influence of drugs, and abuse them themselves sexually.
Also, in case of rape through a customer, the girl is accompanied through the whole process which includes statements to the police, medical examinations to get the medical legal document required from the court, as well as appointments at the prosecutor`s office and the court hearings.
If safety of a child is at risk due to the filing charges, she is referred to the Witness Protection Program. Otherwise, the girl is sheltered at a residential based institution until the court proceedings are completed.
Education
Most of the girls Streetlight look for, dropped out of school and spend most of their time on the streets. Enrolling them in a regular school in this situation, makes little sense. Nevertheless, they are encouraged to resume education. If a girl decides to finish school, Streetlight normally enrolls them in a Night School Program which corresponds more to their rhythm then a regular school.
We work closely together with the teachers and responsible of the school to avoid another dropping out of school as much as possible. Streetlight also provides for their school supplies and allowance. Minors who are reintegrated in their families are also supported regarding their education.
Aftercare
Girls who can be reintegrated in their families are visited regularly. Through one-on-one conversations with all parties involved, including possible school visits, the well-being of the child is ensured.
If there are any problems, the social worker will discuss them with the child and her family to search for solutions together. If the problems are insurmountable and the safety of the child can’t be ensured, an immediate transfer to a facility-based institution will be organized.
If everything goes smoothly, the frequency of home visits will decrease until they can finally be stopped. However, the girl can always contact Streetlight in case she needs support again.