Government to help prostitutes to quit the profession

THE Balearic Government is to help prostitutes who wish to quit the profession by housing them temporarily in two flats and giving them assistance to start a new life away from the streets. Las Monjas Oblatas, who have spent years working with prostitutes, will manage the programme which will assist them to return to a normal social and working life. The Balearic Institute for Housing will supply the flats and the department of the President's Office will coordinate the programmes.
According to a recent study, some 3'000 women on the islands practise the profession of prostitution.
Rosa Puig (deputy leader of the Balearic Government) said that there are already other agreements through which the Balearic Government puts protected housing at the disposition of various groups, such as victims of domestic violence and children.
FLATS
The location of these flats is kept secret for obvious reasons, nor do they ever give details of any of the people living there.
It will be the monks of Las Monjas Oblatas who will decide which women to take into these flats (two to start with, each with two bedrooms).
The Institute for Housing is supplying these flats rent free and the Institute for Women has furnished and decorated them to make them habitable for the women who will use them. Puig said that the Institute for Housing, directed by Isabel Llinas, will also given an annual sum of 12'000 euros for the maintenance of these properties. Part of this sum will also be used for the support of those who use the flats.
The women who use the flats will also receive the necessary training to begin a new life away from the streets.
The Balearic Government has produced leaflets in which it gives the telephone number and address to contact for anyone interested in quitting prostitution. The leaflets also lay out the conditions which are required (none of which are financial) for the women to have access to these flats.