New Hotline Offers Support for Women in Prostitution
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
A new Israeli hotline, "Shira's Line," offers evening and night support for women in prostitution, focusing on emotional listening. Launched by the "Lo Omdot M'nagad" association, it aims to combat the isolation and unique struggles faced by these women. Volunteers provide a non-judgmental space, with the goal of offering comfort and reducing anxiety, rather than direct intervention. The service honors Shira, a woman who died by suicide, by providing the support she lacked.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A new hotline, "Shira's Line," provides evening and night emotional support for women in prostitution.
- The service, run by "Lo Omdot M'nagad," focuses on listening to combat isolation and unique struggles.
- Volunteers undergo training to offer comfort and reduce anxiety for callers.
- The hotline honors Shira, a woman who died by suicide, by offering a listening ear.
- The goal is to provide immediate comfort, not necessarily to solve all problems or exit prostitution.
A new hotline, "Shira's Line," launched by the "Lo Omdot M'nagad" (Not Standing Against) association, is providing crucial emotional support for women involved in prostitution. The service operates exclusively during evening and night hours, focusing on listening to women who often feel isolated and lack support systems. Many women hesitate to contact general mental health hotlines due to fear of male responders or a lack of understanding of their unique struggles.
The hotline was established to honor Shira, a woman who was involved in prostitution, utilized the association's services, and tragically took her own life four years ago. The service aims to fill the void of a listening ear, which was something she desperately needed. While the association also provides concrete material aid, Shira's Line specifically addresses emotional and psychological needs, offering a safe space for women to share their experiences, whether it's about difficult clients, conflicts with pimps, or simply the profound loneliness they face.
Volunteers undergo intensive training to provide empathetic listening and support. The article highlights a simulated call where a volunteer, Anat Sarah, patiently listened to a woman who had been raped at her workplace, a brothel. The woman feared reporting the assault due to potential repercussions from her employer and her need to provide for her child. The hotline's goal is not to solve all problems or extract women from prostitution, but to offer immediate comfort, reduce anxiety, and help women feel less alone, even if it's just for that night.
"Shira's Line" also serves as a bridge for women who are otherwise disconnected from society and family, offering a non-judgmental ear. The association's professional manager, Bracha Shapira, emphasizes that even small victories, like a woman feeling calm enough to change her bedsheets or successfully saying 'no' to a difficult situation, are considered significant successes. The service is accessible without requiring identification or prior welfare registration, making it a vital lifeline for women on the fringes of society.
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Coverage from Ynet
