German deacons help prostitutes to step out

Diakonie Saar offers women counselling and funding to support them in their long-term reorientation and integration into society Diakonie Saar writes on its website. Diakonie Saar is a non-profit diaconal service of the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD) in the German state Saarland.

After an individual consultation, participants work through several modules. Participation is voluntary.

The counselling deals under more with topics like livelihood security, financial situation, and housing situation. It teaches women how to deal with authorities and to find accommodation, Idea reports. In addition, Diakonie Saar helps women to gain access to the labour market to start a new life. For women from foreign countries, language courses are available.

According to Idea, building self-esteem is essential because many women have been suffering stigmatisation and exclusion as prostitutes.

The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. Also, the Protestant Church supports the initiative.