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Red Light Dark Room
St Kilda Gatehouse recently hosted a project conducted by photojournalist Gemma-Rose Turnbull. Red Light Dark Room gave women involved in street sex work the opportunity to tell their untold stories.
Over the past 12 months, Gemma-Rose has used a Australia Council for the Arts Connections Residency grant to photograph and interview participants, while teaching these women the skill of photography.
The Red Light Dark Room book is a collection of the interviews, observations and photographs. The images are often blurry, but they carry raw truths. Pictures of street corners, clients, drugs and the detritus of hard lives. They, and their accompanying words, have common themes, of abuse at a young age, violence, of using and being used. There is sorrow and cynicism, alongside strength and humour.
All proceeds from the book will be directed towards supporting women transition out of street sex work.
To purchase a copy of the book click here
Mosaic Art
The women who come to St Kilda Gatehouse have designed a mosaic art piece which will be mounted on the outside brick wall. Mosaic artist Sean Curtis as assisted the women involved in the project to cut tiles, glue and grout and piece together the work. It is a real community effort. The women who decided on the final design wanted to reflect the heart and warmth of daily life at St Kilda Gatehouse.
Funding still needed: $2000
Off The Streets
Leaving street sex work can be a very difficult and isolating process. There are also ‘pull’ factors which make it hard to leave street sex work such as freedom, human contact, a social network, a sense of safety in the familiar, drug addiction or other needs for money. Due to a history of negative and traumatic experiences many of the women engaging in street sex work feel there is no way out and that their past, as well as their current lifestyle excludes them from society and the opportunities. Many do not want to risk failure or additional setbacks.
A way to help reduce the ‘pull’ of street sex work is to provide the capacity to form meaningful, safe relationships and opportunities to engage in positive activities which provide a sense of purpose and achievement.
St Kilda Gatehouse is currently seeking resources for 'Off the Streets’, a project that will provide alternative, fun, social and safe recreational experiences for women who are engaged in street sex work. The activities in this project will promote off the street engagement in social activities. It will allow participants to explore interests and their strengths and to build meaningful and healthy relationships within the community.
Gatehouse Women's Netball
The Gatehouse Women’s Netball team has just finished it's second season. The team is made up of staff, volunteers and women who access Gatehouse.
Many women who come to St Kilda Gatehouse have a distorted self worth. This often leads to increased risk taking behaviour and increased drug use. The team will be a made up of street sex workers, woman with life controlling substance abuse, volunteers, supporters and staff from St Kilda Gatehouse. Rather than feeling stigmatised, the team experience will promote a sense of equality and social inclusion – as well as good times and a good workout.
Funding needed to play next season: $1640
Support a Project
To support a specific project or to find out what resources and financial support is needed please contact info@stkildagatehouse.org.au
