social issues Simone Worthing
Taking a stand SALVOS CUPCAKE TEAM OFFERS SUPPORT TO SEX TRADE WORKERS
W
hen The Salvation Army’s Australia Eastern Territory ran stalls at Sexpo – the world’s largest sexuality and adult lifestyle exhibition – in Sydney and Brisbane, it partnered with Stop the Traffik, which focuses on raising awareness of slavery and trafficking issues throughout the world. Volunteers on the stalls invited visitors to sign petitions in protest at the use of slave labour in the cocoa, coffee, clothing, and related industries, and the issue of human trafficking in the sex industry was also highlighted. At the stall in the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, more than 750 petitions were signed and stall volunteers gave away 2,000 Salvation Army wristbands, fairtrade samples and some Rick Warren books. There were also dozens of positive conversations with people about the Christian faith, The Salvation Army, trafficking, fairtrade and many other topics. 20 Revive
While many people were initially registered brothels in that state. surprised to see The Salvation Army at The Gold Coast team, which visits Sexpo, visitors were genuinely pleased four of the six registered brothels in the to see the Salvos (as Salvationists in city, is also supported by a prayer group Australia are known) in action. along with a team of bakers who make The Brisbane stall was run by the cupcakes for the volunteers to take to the Cupcake Team, an outreach of Gold sex workers. Coast Temple Corps (church) and part ‘We are there to connect with and care of the Just Salvos Brothel Support Team for women working in the sex industry, based in Melbourne – both Australia to show them the love of Jesus in a Eastern and Southern Territories are non-judgemental way, and to treat them covered by this team along with another with dignity and respect,’ says Simone working out of Camberwell Corps. Worthing from the Cupcake Team. ‘The teams exist to visit and offer ‘We also have strong relationships holistic support and help to those with other organisations working in involved in the sex industry,’ says Nikki this field, including Project Respect Capp, who leads the Just Salvos and the Australian Federal Police Brothel Support Teams. In Human Trafficking Unit,’ Victoria a large team of says Nikki. ‘We are also people are praying well networked with ‘The teams exist for the outreach relevant Salvation ministry team Army programmes to visit and offer of 25 women and services. holistic support and volunteers who During 2013 Just help to those involved regularly visit Salvos Brothel in the sex industry’ 67 of the 97 Support Teams in