ABSTRACT
This paper describes the philosophy of PEERS (Prostitutes' Empowerment, Education and Resource Society) in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. PEERS was developed, managed, and staffed by prostitution survivors. PEERS' programs are culturally relevant, responding to the disproportionately high participation of Aboriginal women and youth in prostitution in Canada. PEERS offers services to those in the sex trade regardless of whether they wish to leave or stay in prostitution. Eighty-six percent of the people who use PEERS services eventually leave the sex trade and move on to further training, education or other employment. The paper further discusses the need for community liaisons, and the triumph as well as the stress of public disclosure of prostitution in one's life.