As Oprah and the Oprah Winfrey Network show true committment to the launch of The Doc Club, they continue to bring us the most interesting stories in the most unlikely places.  Tonight’s OWN documentary, “Prostitution: Leaving the Life” is no exception.  Not the standard “Pretty Woman” meets “Hustle and Flow” type of senario, this look into a unique program just outside of Chicago is a little about women getting a second chance and even more about how, as humans, we all have the capacity to relate, to love, to understand, to teach, to empower and to heal. 

“Prostitution is a way of life for approximately 20,000 women in Chicago’s metropolitan area.”
“We’re not just taking them to jail, but trying to offer them a way out.” -Lisa, Peer Coordinator 

At the Department of Women Justice Services (DWJS) in Cook County, they have found success in creating a program that speaks to the heart of this way of life – Division 17.  Understanding that this lifestyle often brings with it addiction problems as well as social and economic issues, the DWJS has created a unique recovery and rehabilitation program that uses compassion and education in place of the standard prison time.  This special unit, called Division 17, is a unique program for women trying to get out of prostitution.  Housed in a different area of the prison, Division 17 creates a prison rehabilitation system to treat the addiction and lifestyle and helps to teach the women the necessary skills to move toward a different life.   

 “You don’t  have to worry about being judged by me.”- Marian, Peer Coordinator

From the heart of the program, we are introduced early to three women who are survivors and have completely turned their lives around.  Surviving as much as 25 years of prostitution and addiction, these women are walking role models that no matter what the circumstance, you absolutely can come out on the other side.  These angels, called “Peer Coordinators” featured in the program – Brenda, Lisa and Marian – give no judgement and only compassion and understanding that resonnates with the participants.  Like an invisible string that connects them, the shame and embarrassment of the past melts away and allows the women in the program the ability to focus on healing themselves and empowering them to move toward a better life.

“I’m trying to do what was done for me…helping women get out.”- Brenda, Peer Coordinator

Throughout the film, we are introduced to a few of these women that are in the program.  Women in the program come from all ages and circumstances but all with a common thread – thier lives brought them to prostitution as a way of life.  Nicole is a 28 year old mother who also is addicted to herion and has paid for drugs with sex but more heartbreaking, her price has been losing her life with her children and family.  Jamisha is a 21 year old who ran away from home when she was 12 because she was being sexually molested and turned to stripping and prostitution at 13. With no where to go and nobody to help, this is how she survived.  Anesha, a young mom of just 20, began prostituting at 16 after her daughter was born and has volunteered for the program hoping to end her addiction to a man – her pimp.  And Laura, 41 and mother of 2 who was arrested during the documentary, found herself with no job and willing to do anything to support her kids.  From all walks of life and from all different roads, the stories may have been unique, but the impact was the same.  Their choices in life had put them in jail, away from those that they loved and the DWJS and Division 17 was offering them hope and an opportunity for more.

“If women want to get out of the life of prostitution, the services are there. 
I am going to help the people who want help.” – Brenda, Peer Coordinator

Opening up our eyes to angels in the most unlikely places, “Prostituion: Leaving the Life” offers a lesson in compassion.  The film shows how paying it forward can impact so many and recovery or rehabilitation may come packaged as wisdom, compassion and understanding.  As these Peer Coordinators work to change women’s lives by paying forward thier own recovery and saving grace, they are changing so many other lives.  By offering a lifeline to one woman, it’s impact extends not just to her, but also to her family,her children, their children…and on and on.   As Brenda reminds us during the film, as women it seems that “we’re always looking outside of ourselves for something to better us…”  It is clear that the women and men who are part of providing the services at Cook County’s Department of Women Justice Services do not need to look too far at all.  Bravo.