The STOPLight

An ending and a new beginning

After eleven years of educating the public about the inherent violence of prostitution and developing a model program of prevention, intervention, and advocacy services, WHISPER closed its doors on September 30, 1996. Although the board and staff worked diligently to overcome the effects of rapid expansion and shrinking funding, we came to the painful realization that we could no longer provide quality services while operating under a growing deficit. We decided to dissolve so the agency could refer clients to other services and still meet its financial and contractual obligations to employees and funders.

WHISPER was founded in 1985 as a grassroots response to cultural myths depicting prostitution as a glamorous career that women freely choose. Early activities included public speaking, rallies, and the publication of a newsletter. Over the years the organization grew to include unique support groups, street outreach and advocacy services, an HTV/STD prevention and risk reduction program, a juvenile prostitution prevention project, and a drop-in center.

WHISPER materials have been purchased by helping professionals and teaching institutions nationwide. Professional seminars have been conducted throughout North America. Original research on commercial sexual exploitation has been published in the popular and academic press. In 1992, staff members testified before the United Nations in Geneva on the conditions of women and youth in the sex industry. WHISPER also initiated and organized support for the passage of several public policies in Minnesota. Additionally, organizing efforts to halt police brutality resulted in the development of a statewide model code of conduct for peace officers.

As WHISPER’s founder, it is particularly difficult for me to write this final chapter in our history. Looking back, however, I realize that one or two agencies like WHISPER and PRIDE—no matter how determined—cannot alone meet the growing need for services to prostituted women and youth.

This realization led to the creation of the Commercial Sexual Exploitation Resource Institute. Our mission is to abate commercial sexual exploitation through research, education, and community organizing efforts. The Resource Institute maintains a library of current research on the causes and effects of sexual exploitation in prostitution, pornography, strip clubs; initiates and publishes original research; designs and distributes prevention, intervention, and outreach materials; provides professional training and consulting services; and develops organizing strategies to fight commercial sexual exploitation. Rather than duplicate direct service or community organizing efforts, staff and volunteers work in partnership with professionals and neighborhood groups.

The Resource Institute’s staff, board, and volunteers are comprised of longtime WHISPER Action Group members, community activists, women’s advocates, and survivors of prostitution. Collectively we share a history of successfully organizing against commercial sexual exploitation, police misconduct, and racist public policies. We are heartened that the movement to dismantle the commercial sex industry and advocate for the rights and safety of prostituted women and youth is vigorous in our state. We look forward to supporting the struggle, strengthening our past partnerships, and forging new alliances by providing reliable, professional resources to the community.

by Evelina Giobbe, executive director Commercial Sexual Exploitation Resource Institute