Earlier this week, a woman named Annie Lobért appeared on the Today show to discuss her organization, Hookers for Jesus. Lobért began working as a prostitute when she was 19 years old, and spent 16 years as both a prostitute and high-class escort. Lobért founded Hookers for Jesus in 2006, with the goal of helping women leave the sex work industry; the organization is based in Las Vegas, where it operates a safe house for women and teens who need a place to live while they are transitioning out of the industry.

Prostitution is a serious problem, both in the United States and worldwide.  Too often, sex workers are abused and mistreated by pimps, clients, or both, and there is often little recourse for those seeking help. Lobért claims that she was raped and abused repeatedly while working as a prostitute and escort, and says that many of her friends in the industry have had similar experiences.

Lobért is the first to admit that it’s very difficult for women to leave the sex-work industry – she candidly says that she “relapsed” several times – which makes the group’s success stories all the more compelling. To combat this problem, the range of services offered at the transitional house is fairly comprehensive; residents are offered professional counseling, nutrition and fitness instruction, and life-skills training, among other services.

With a name like Hookers for Jesus, of course, the question of faith is put front and center. [Read more...]