Loved. Valued. Purposed.
Cherished
Thank you for your interest in our journey of restoring hope.
We long for a world where women know their true value, free from sexual exploitation with the opportunity to live fulfilling lives.
Cherished is an outreach and support group for women working in the sex industry. We help women who are sexually exploited and have experienced abuse and intense trauma. Our aim is to reach, restore and equip women to live purpose-filled lives.
We run monthly outreaches, support groups and events, and meet with women one-on-one to build relationships and to see how we can assist them. Our heart is to journey with women on their road to restoration, if they so choose.
Should an emergency arise, we make every effort to intervene and bring individuals to a place of safety.
“It’s her choice, right?”
The Reality
Surely it’s a personal decision for a woman to work in the sex industry? So what’s the problem?
It’s not so simple.
There are more women employed in the sex industry today than at any other time in history. Women’s vulnerabilities are being exploited on every level.
89% of women working in the sex industry want to escape, but see no other means for survival.
73% of women in prostitution have been raped more than 5 times.
70% of trafficked women are trafficked into the commercial sex industry.
Up to 90% of women in the sex industry were sexually abused as children.
Many women in the industry experience extreme levels of trauma and abuse which can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder on the same level as post-war veterans. To flee from reality and pain, these women often resign themselves to substance abuse or other escapism techniques and in turn their dreams of living restored, healthy lives are gone forever.
“So no, it’s not her choice!”
This is why we seek to serve and help ladies working in the sex industry.
Women have left the industry due to our efforts. Each one now on a journey to a new life.
Committed volunteers run outreaches across Gauteng, visiting on average 30 venues, reaching around 620 women per month.
Gifts given out to women in desperate places and hopeless situations, as our first point of connection.
Women receive weekly devotions.
Women have been touched by words and acts of love and kindness.