Health, Migration, and Sex Work: The experience of TAMPEP edited by Licia Brussa

A more technical book concerning prostitution of women in Europe, focusing especially on migrant (and illegal) workers in prostitution. Although it contains a significant amount of facts, it contains very little personal details and/or quotes from the prostitutes themselves. In the Netherlands, they point out the crackdown on illegals working in prostitution has been detrimental to the women involved, often forcing them into seeking second-hand assistance for prostitution (and thus causing them to lose their independence, either to traffickers, pimps, madams, husbands, etc.).

Whom to trust? (2003) and Hope: Diana's Story (2007); by Fouchina Catherina

Both books are published by Oogstpublicaties in connection with Scarlet Cord located in Amsterdam. Both tell the stories of two women who have left prostitution. Grace (Whom to Trust) comes from Nigeria, whereas Diana comes from Eastern Europe. Both leave their country of origin in order to escape poor situations back home (Grace leaves poverty and a relatively hopeless future whereas Diana leaves a bad marriage and a lack of custody of her children). Neither was entirely certain that prostitution was what they were getting into; more so, once in the Netherlands, both needed to stay and work to pay off the debts incurred to get them there. Both their stories are plausible; yet, there is something about them that feels fake or over-edited. Having read words from other prostitutes makes it feel like something is missing in these books, although I am not certain what. Perhaps I am merely recognizing in them the motive found on the inside cover of hope: "This organization does not promote, support, or advocate the legalization or practice of prostitution." Such a statement, although honourable, does not necessarily reflect the brokenness of the world around us nor necessarily provide a means to protect further the women in the story. Nor does it have a place for women that are still in prostitution - and not yet able to leave even if they can see the damage of it.

The Politics of Prostitution: Women's Movements, Democratic States and the Globalisation of Sex Commerce, Edited by Joyce Outshoorn

A highly technical book involving the recent policy and politics related to prostitution in various countries, including Netherlands, Canada, and the USA.

Breaking the Conspiracy of Silence: Christian Churches and the Global AIDS Crisis by Donald E. Messer (2004)

Overall, a well-written book that is readable, challenging the lack of response by the Christian community towards AIDS, and hopeful. Although his view of sin might be disconcerting to some Christians, along with the concept of providing the best for people who are sinful (e.g. advocating condoms), this perspective is advocated with the hope of showing God's love to be people in a less judgmental means than the church has done in the past. His writing on the place of women, including sex workers, and the effect of AIDS on their lives is both gracious and motivating (along with fitting with other things I have seen written in this area). His book could possibly provide insight further into a point of contact with the exclusion found in the laws written in Leviticus.