Member Focus - Ruhama Women's Project
Senior House, All Hallows College, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
Tel : 01 836 02 92
Fax: 01 836 02 68
Email : admin@ruhama.ie
Website : www.ruhama.ie
Member Profile
Established in 1989, Ruhama is a Dublin-based NGO which works on a national level with women affected by prostitution and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation. Ruhama (Hebrew for renewed life) regards prostitution as violence against women and violations of women's human rights. 'Prostitution and the accompanying evil of trafficking for prostitution, is incompatible with the dignity and worth of every human being' - UN Convention 1949. We see prostitution and the social and cultural attitudes which sustain it as being deeply rooted in gender inequality and social marginalisation.
What Ruhama does:
Ruhama's street outreach service started in 1989 in response to women's needs for the opportunity to discuss their issues and problems with someone who could understand their situation and accept it uncritically, and from that perspective to offer advice and support. The street outreach service, which still forms the basis of Ruhama's contact with women involved in prostitution, aims to build relationships with them, treating them with respect and dignity, nurturing their self-esteem and offering them the opportunity to engage more deeply with a process that could lead to the development of other options and life choices.
Operating from a mobile unit ('the van') which visits red-light districts at night, the service offers women hot drinks, a friendly ear and a neutral safe environment in which to talk with Ruhama staff and volunteers. From these modest beginnings Ruhama has grown to an organisation with 14 staff, over 35 volunteers and a range of services. As well as the outreach service, Ruhama now offers an in-depth casework service and a range of development programmes which help women exit prostitution. Ruhama's work has evolved over the years, with many of the women we initially worked with exiting prostitution. We continue to offer long term aftercare support to women who have exited and help them reintegrate into mainstream society. The services now include support to women who are currently involved in prostitution; women with a history of prostitution; victims of the crime of sex trafficking and women at high risk of prostitution.
Awareness Raising:
Allied to our direct services to women Ruhama has developed programmes aimed at raising awareness of the issues that keep them involved in prostitution and which limit their opportunities to move on. Ruhama staff respond to requests to speak to relevant organisations on issues related to prostitution and trafficking for sexual exploitation. Increasingly, Ruhama uses the media to highlight concerns about the growth in sex trafficking and the needs of women involved in the sex industry.
Advocacy and campaigning
Ruhama also works to influence policy development in the area, networking with relevant Government Departments and agencies, lobbying for better services and seeking to influence the enactment of appropriate legislation, protocols and directives. Ruhama opposes the legalisation of prostitution, seeing it in the context of sexual exploitation and as a human rights issue. We contribute to national media and other relevant publications. We also engage in research and organise seminars on specific issues associated with prostitution and sex trafficking.
Click here to to view a video.
Ongoing campaigns for Ruhama include
- challenging the proliferation of the lap dancing club industry in Ireland
- highlighting the demand in the sex trade, with particular focus on the criminalisation of the purchase of sexual services
- addressing the widespread stereotyping and blaming of women and the stigma attached which isolates women and limits their opportunities to progress.
Learn more about Ruhama
For the latest news and press articles, click here. Ruhama also has a facebook profile, where supporters of Ruhama can keep in touch with news and activities.
During October and November, Ruhama is asking you to COME DINE AT MINE in aid of Ruhama. This is an exciting campaign for those interested in cooking and well, eating! Further details are available on Ruhama's website.
Ruhama now has the facility to collect direct debits from those who wish to support Ruhama's work on a regular monthly basis. Visit our website for further information and access the simple form:
Ruhama is a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital, registered in Dublin, Ireland with registered office at Senior House, All Hallows College, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 and registered company number 209799. Ruhama is also a charity with CHY number 10733.