Background:

RENEW Foundation is based in Angeles City, two hours north of Manila - the capital of the Philippines. Angeles City is the Philippine’s centre of prostitution and sex trafficking. Angeles City surrounds the former Clark U.S. Air Force base, and there are over 12 000 registered female sex workers (FSWs) and an estimated 3000 other types of FSWs (working in brothels, videokees and on the streets).  Fields avenue in Angeles City is the centre of the Philippines sex industry, and Richard Agnew, a former Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officer, is at its heart. Agnew runs a string of bars and clubs in Fields Avenue that cater to Western sex tourists seeking young women and under-age girls. He was arrested in 2003 and deported, but is back in the Philippines, operating the same businesses with apparent impunity. 

RENEW'S PROGRAMS FOR PROSTITUTED WOMEN:

Education: In the Philippines research indicates that the majority of women who are prostituted and trafficked have not completed their secondary schooling, primarily due to poverty. In the Philippines obtaining a reasonable salary, in say a fast food restaurant or shopping mall, requires at a minimum, high school qualifications. RENEW therefore provides educational classes for women who were unable to complete their primary or secondary schooling.  Upon completion of the course (aprox. 6 months), through the support of the Department for Education, we are able to provide official high school graduation certificates.  This enables successful candidates to access alternative employment or to continue with higher education through our Sponsorship Program. 

Vocational Training: RENEW provides short-term vocational courses (accredited by TESDA - the official governing body of vocational courses in the Philippines) including: therapeutic massage, computer literacy, and cosmetology (hairdressing etc).  These courses provide women with immediate access to alternative employment and/or the skills to self start their own business - in profit generating fields identified by RENEW.

Health: Prostituted women and victims of sex trafficking are vulnerable to sexual health risks, including HIV/AIDS. RENEW therefore provides accurate easily understood information about the transmission, recognition, and prevention of HIV and STIs.  We also give advice on the correct use of contraceptives and lower risk sexual practices. RENEW staff also lead health seminars in schools, communities and women's groups.  RENEW's health activities are supported by the United Nations Joint Program on HIV/AIDS.

Counselling: Due to the physical and psychological health risks and consequences of being prostituted and trafficked, women involved in prostitution and trafficking often experience serious psychological traumas including clinical levels of depression, anxiety and PTSD as well as other negative mental health outcomes including low self esteem.  RENEW therefore provides counselling and therapy designed to meet these needs.

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