Looking for a Few Good Women . . .

When were you in prison and we visited you?

I heard someone speak addressing human trafficking. She described how prostitutes are separated in two groups (not by her) into the “good”—those forced into sexual slavery through abduction, being tricked, or sold, and the “bad”—those who “choose” the trade. “We work with the “bad” ones,” I immediately thought.

But one of my friends ran away from home at 11 and was picked up by an older man. Later she “freely” chose prostitution to support her addiction—her escape from pain. Another, the youngest of 14, was continually told by her mother that she hated her and wished she had never been born. A relative molested her at a young age. Later she “chose” prostitution and  orgies to buy drugs.

Many women go from incarceration to treatment to half way house and repeat the cycle. Eleven women anonymously and informally surveyed, revealed a total of 87 stints in treatment, 66 incarcerations and 198 relapses, or, respectively, an average of 8, 6 and 18 per woman. With each move a woman confronts a new cast of characters. If she relapses, she may even lose her AA or NA sponsor. No wonder the women couldn’t believe we wanted to stay connected after Liberty Manor.

More and more women are succeeding in their fight with addiction. We seek to support their success by sticking with them through thick and thin with follow up groups, advocacy, a willing ear and our Friends of Women in Recovery program. We already have some great friendships going!

Are you called to befriend a woman in recovery? Would you write to a woman in jail or prison who has failed yet another time? You may be her only voice of support.  Would you be willing to befriend someone still in treatment or further along their journey?

If you are interested in learning more how you can let one of these women know that someone still cares, let us know.  Call or email Joy: joybergfalk@projectempower.org, home: 256-3384, cell: 315-7826.