The news controversy over New York Governor Eliot Spitzer's involvement with prostitute Ashley Dupre does bring more media attention on this community problem. While his involvement involved a supposed upscale escort service, according to the New York Times, many of the victims of prostitution are poor and immigrant women.

In an effort to reduce prostitution, the District Attorney's Office of Brooklyn attempts to help women who are struggling in the profession and who wish to leave. They do not merely punish those who are prostituting themselves but rather offer them the option of working with social workers to better their options.

E.P.I.C. (Ending Prostitution In our Community) and S.T.A.R. (Saving Teens at Risk) are two programs offered by the Kings County District Attorney's Office. They are offered to women who are prostituting themselves.

These program, one for women under 21 and one for over, help to give females different options other than prostitution. While, interning in the Sex Crimes Department, I was able to see first hand how the services were offered and the benefits and pitfalls.

Many of the women involved in the programs have had past history of sexual abuse. According to the Kings County DA statistics, approximately "80-90 percent of the women have been sexually abused." The program often offers counseling to the women as well as information on alternative lifestyle choices.

S.T.A.R., which is aimed at teens was started in 2004 by District Attorney Charles Hynes. The program encourages returning to school, as well as helping women to apprehend their pimps (sometimes being their own family members). With the help of the DA's office these women can be relocated should need be. The program often will work with the Administration of Children Services, New York Public Housing, translators, and teachers to help the young women obtain regular contact with a social worker even when they are discharged from the program
Some ways that the programs helped women who were prostituting themselves was by offering alternative sentencing should a prostitute be arrested. Just like several drug rehabilitation programs, E.P.I.C. and S.T.A.R. gave the women the option of attending a series of meetings, having to contact select social workers as well as obtaining information on housing, jobs and safer sex.

One of the hardest aspects seemed to be enticing women to become part of the program. The programs are both voluntary to women seeking support and also are offered to women who were arrested for prostitution charges. Unfortunately, a great deal of those prostituting themselves were immigrant women who went into the business due to the difficulty in obtaining work in other fields. This doesn't go to say that it is impossible to find other work, even if you lack a formal education, but due to the structuring of many of the women's environments prostitution was an easier option. The programs worked hard with translators and cultural community centers to reach women who may normally not be able to benefit from offered services.

It was also a positive note to see that the program would often try to work with the prostitutes to ensure that they can complete the program and rehabilitation. The social workers were considerate of relapses and personal situations but they also were strict with rules and regulations. By having sympathy to the women while also remaining firm I think the program also deterred abuse of the free services.

What I found to be the most beneficial of the program was that they did not turn away women who were not interested in full rehabilitation. The women were permitted to get access to free birth control, physicals and were encouraged that should they prostitute themselves that they remain physically safe as well as access to safety and phone hotlines. Both programs are free and confidential. Even though some of the women did not give up their lifestyle choices the program seemed to encourage those who were aware of it to pass the information on to other women or to encourage healthier choices for their children.