Database established to protect Durban sex workers
The idea was “unfortunately” spurred by the events surrounding the recent gruesome murder of 23-year-old sex worker, Jessica Weyers.
FRUSTRATED with the murders of sex workers, an organisation in Durban has taken it upon itself to create an identity database for prostitutes.
Her Identity is an initiative by the Expose Hope organisation that seeks to help the police to identify sex workers if they go missing.
The database will contain the woman’s name, date of birth, identity number, relatives (if there are any), address, phone number and any identifying marks like scars or tattoos along with a headshot.
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“This data will be 100 per cent confidential unless the woman goes missing, in which case the information will be used by ourselves and police to help find her or, in the event of her murder, it will be used to identify her body and contact any relatives,” said Vashti Downs, one of the founders of Expose Hope.
The project was initiated after the gruesome murder of 23-year-old sex worker, Jessica Weyers, recently.
Police found Weyers body on a Monday in Inanda but were only able to positively identify her three days later after assistance by Expose Hope. Downs said they have registered over 130 women.
“It is going to be a lot of work, but our ladies are so worth it, and to see their relief when they realize that we genuinely love and care for them is a beautiful thing,” reads Expose Hope’s Facebook post.
During the 16 Days of Activism Against Women and Child Abuse, Expose Hope has taken the opportunity to highlight some of the challenges Durban sex workers face.
“Our number one goal when interacting with these ladies is to build relationships. Trust is crucial. Our ladies have been abused in every sense and trust is very hard for them,” said Downs.
“Every week we are there physically in the brothels and in the streets spending time with the ladies. Laughing, crying, listening, giving advice and also helping them to move away from the dangers of the sex industry.”
Downs said she understands residents living in ‘red light districts’ like Umbilo and lower Musgrave are frustrated with the influx of brothels and sex workers in their communities.
“The only way to bridge the gap is for the public to start to look at these girls and women as actual human beings. Mothers, daughters, sisters and in some cases grandmothers. The women that we work with are beautiful and precious, they have all been victims of serious trauma, violence, rape and often are victims of sex trafficking,” said Downs.
If you are willing and able to assist in any way, you can contact Expose Hope on 082 041 0495 or exposehopesa@gmail.com.
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