This is the second in a series of posts with ministry tips to sex workers. The first is here. The third is here. –TB

The second thing to keep in mind when wanting to begin this type of outreach ministry is to do your research. If you want to be a street outreach ministry then you need to know what types of resources in your area are available to men and women that will reach out to you and ask for your help.

What will you do when:

When a woman says she wants to get off the street?

When she says she is afraid for her safety?

When she says she has children that she also needs to take care of?

What if she is an illegal immigrant?

What if she has a drug addiction?

What if she is underage?

These are the kinds of questions you need to take care of.

“The Game” is what they call the network of prostitution, those involved and its rules. There are lots of rules and terminology in The Game and it is important for you to at least be aware of what that is so you do not go out onto the streets ill-informed and into potentially dangerous situations.

You need to know the rules and psychological effects of The Game.

You need to learn where the tracks are in your town, how they work the girls, when the natural rotations happen, when to pursue girls and when to respect the fact that a sex worker’s time is money. You also need to respect the psychological trauma that has taken place. For example, insulting a woman’s pimp by saying he is a jerk that treats her horribly will make her cut you off and never listen to you again. You need to understand the psychological manipulation and deep connection that has been formed there and learn to work within those bonds to reach out to her.

We’ll examine some of the terminology related to The Game in the next post.

Julia Speck is assistant director for Fuller’s DMin program and volunteers with After Hours, a street outreach to Pimps and Prostitutes in Los Angeles. 

Tags: After Hours, prostitutes, street ministry