Frits Rouvoet has sold all kinds of things: books, televisions, washing machines. That was until, some 18 years ago, his concern turned to the plight of women who had suffered abuse. And one thing led to another. Ever since, his foundation Bright Fame has managed to get women out of prostitution – and then keep them out of it.
At the shop where he worked, Rouvoet would engage in conversation with women who had been prostituted against their will. Their plight affected him deeply. ‘I once got myself into a lot of trouble. You know that what you’re doing is not right. You feel ashamed about what you’re doing but you keep up the pretence. But you continue to slide into deeper problems. I see the same isolation among many women engaged in prostitution. Their families are completely unaware. Circumstances have led them into prostitution, such as a financial hardship, grooming by a ‘lover boy’ or a psychological trauma. And you’re unable to escape without help.’
Person to person
Along with his sister-in-law, Rouvoet leaps into action. He frequently shows up at the Red-Light District of Amsterdam. Establishes rapport. Has conversations. He gradually gains the confidence and trust of the women sitting in the windows. He has a coffee with them across the road. Just one person to another, he says. Rouvoet has been receiving a few donations from family and friends in order to help them. And little by little, this initiative grew into what is now known as Bright Fame. And now the foundation has its own office. There are 25 volunteers and some permanent employees. Over the course of the year they keep in touch with sex workers during 1,525 face-to-face meetings at the street level and another 1,605 at the office. In addition, a hundred women decided to attend an intensive programme to be able to leave prostitution.
Help discover their dreams
The foundation is doing a range of things to overcome their situation. This includes help with finding affordable housing, employment as well as educational opportunities. Supporting them through legal advice and the provision of psychological help. And the foundation also helps with their benefit applications or debt management. All are welcome in Bright Fame’s cosy living room. Furthermore, the women are given training sessions which challenge them to know themselves better and discover their dreams.
Strengthening the organisation
For the past few years, Bright Fame has been supported by Dioraphte. Rouvoet: ‘The money enables our organisation to become more solid. How can we attract additional funding? Could the foundation team up with entrepreneurs? How can we improve our visibility through communication? We also use the money to expand the team with more professionals and volunteers.’
Money is hard to find
We are fortunate to have this help, states Rouvoet. ‘Because it’s much harder to obtain funding to establish your organisation than it is to find money for a specific project. Moreover, there are some charities that would prefer not to be associated with our target group. These women are often labelled as ‘bad’. They are supposedly ‘lazy’ and ‘criminal’. This is a very depressing societal image. Because when you actually get to know these women, you discover someone altogether different.’