'I knew I had to do sexual things or they would kill me'
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Tuesday September 01 2009
CHRISTINE did not know what sex was until one of her clients showed her. She was forced into street prostitution as a teenager by a family member.
"It was terrifying but I knew I had to do sexual things or they would have killed me," the Irish woman said. About a decade after she stopped working the streets, Christine went to Ruhama, a support group for prostitutes, for help as she was still suffering. She is one of the hundreds of women who seek the help of the organisation each year.
Ruhama, which is marking its 20th anniversary, launched its biennial report for 2007 and 2008 in Dublin yesterday.
Christine shared her success story along with advice to other women, as she now begins her final year of university studies and prepares to be married.
"I would say to anyone considering prostitution, do not do it. It affects your whole life and the sadness never goes away. If one feels they are being made to go into prostitution by a family member or a boyfriend, go to the police.
Miserable
"It will never be glamorous and you will never make loads of money," she said. "You will always feel dirty and unwanted and you will also not be able to trust anyone . . . it's a cold and miserable life."
Meanwhile, Obioma, a Nigerian trafficked here as a young girl, explained how she came to Ireland for a better life. Like the majority of women turning to Ruhama, Obioma is a foreign national who trusted someone who promised to help them.
Just days later, she said, she was a prisoner. "I was locked in a room; they were using me to make money," she said. "I was forced to have sex with different men. After sleeping with them, they paid money, and my organisers would come and collect it from me."
Obioma, who got out of prostitution and is now a student, said she had no one to speak to at the time.
She explained how she was rescued by gardai, introduced to Ruhama and taken to a safe house. Obioma said she had taken hope and courage from her new situation. "I feel like life again, I became free."
- Louise Hogan
