Prevention & outreach for women in prostitution
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Overview

In 1987, Tot Heil des Volks started Scharlaken Koord, Scarlet Cord in English, an outreach to women in prostitution. Several times a week, staff and volunteers introduce themselves to girls behind Amsterdam.s famous windows, building a relationship, letting them know they are available for counseling, financial assistance, housing, and providing Bibles and book relaying the story of other women in their circumstances and the freedom they found.

Prevention workers of Scarlet Cord lead workshops at secondary schools and teen clubs in 28 schools throughout Holland, reach over 1500 girl, ages 12-15. They make the girls aware of the dangers and risks of prostitution and discuss the dynamics of a healthy relationship.

Need

The red light district of Amsterdam is world renowned, drawing visitors from around the world. Over 400 windows line the streets, with a woman on display behind each one. Many women are victims of sex trafficking, others were lured in by .lover-boys. through a lengthy and purposeful scheme designed to break them down psychologically and move them in to prostitution. Threatened by their loverboys/pimps, with sizeable debts and no other job prospects, for many women it does not seem to be a viable option for many women to leave the industry.

The Project

Wellspring continues to contribute funds toward Prevention Work in schools, youth clubs, churches, and the community.

We also contribute toward the Outreach program extended to women currently in prostitution.

View Photos from this project.