For Survivors: About the Principle of Harm Reduction

About the Philosophy of Harm Reduction

The principle of harm reduction rests on a commitment to meeting clients where you are, to improve your safety, well-being, access to resources, or support on your terms. We recognize that at this time, systems of prostitution and drug use are part of most societies.

We want people in the sex industries and people who continue to substance abuse to receive resources, respect, services, and support. In other words, if you not choosing or not able to pursue total detoxification or abstinence from drug use, or if you continue to be in the sex industries, we are glad to work with you to improve your life. Your goals, needs, limits and expectations are what matters. We rely on your input to identify what resources to offer you, or to create a treatment plan.

Currently many societies deprive people who are considered ‘criminal’ or ‘deviant’ of basic human rights and respect including healthcare, legal advocacy or counsel, and adequate nutrition and shelter. We believe that the law, social stereotypes, and abuse can never take away your basic worth as a human being.

Practicing harm reduction means doing our best to ensure that you receive food, clothing, medicines, contraception or gynecological care, materials for basic hygiene, education, access to housing, employment opportunities, community, counseling or someone to help you plan for your needs—at times when societies would be most likely to treat you as if your needs don’t matter, or as if your rights can be violated. We offer clients support in prisons, in or out of drug treatment, while homeless or housed, in juvenile hall, and before, during or after involvement in the sex industries.

We offer clients support whether or not you have “succeeded” by the standards of mainstream society, or had positive and negative experiences of treatment or counseling before. Your survival, communicating what you need, your efforts to achieve your goals or take care of yourself, reaching out or accepting resources—these are the successes we care about.

We recognize that child abuse, poverty, racism, neglect, relationship violence, police brutality, and sexual and gender discrimination set the stage for sexual exploitation, for addiction, and for many forms of self-injury and self-destruction. When so many social forces are working against you, becoming even a little bit safer, a little bit stronger, having a few more resources or connections, or a little more education, is a tremendous achievement.

For other resources related to Harm Reduction:
http://www.harmreduction.org/prince.html
http://www.ihra.net