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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Click a question to see the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

Who does Treasures serve?

Answer: Although most of our outreach is done at strip clubs and porn conventions, Treasures serves women in all areas of the sex industry including prostitution, escorting, and dominatrix. We also assist victims of commercialized sexual exploitation and sex trafficking.

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Is Treasures trying to convince people to leave sex work?

Answer: Our goal is not to try to convince or force people to leave sex work. It is not our job to convict people or tell them how to live their lives. We believe that our role is to encourage women in their value, purpose and relationship with God. It is from this place that God does some of His best work. Besides, if the research is true, and 89% of women involved in sex work want out, then we would be wasting our time trying to convince the other 11% to leave. We aren’t interested in forcing “help” on people who don’t want it. We want to be a support to the ones who do.

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Do you only provide support to women who want to leave the sex industry?

Answer: No. We will provide services and support to any woman in the sex industry regardless of whether or not she wants to leave the business. Women in the sex industry are often facing a myriad of issues. Many are dealing with backgrounds of sexual abuse and trauma, substance abuse issues, depression, PTSD, domestic violence. We believe that it is important to meet women where they are at. If a woman wants help addressing the sexual abuse in her past, and has no intention of leaving the sex industry, we want to support her in this. If we only helped women who said they wanted to leave the business at the initial point of contact, we could be missing an incredible opportunity to see God work in her life in other areas.

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What does the sex industry have to do with trafficking?

Answer: You can’t reach women in the sex industry without reaching victims of sex trafficking. The two are intersected. And while not every woman in the sex industry has been trafficked, victims of sex trafficking end up working in the sex industry. There are victims of trafficking working in strip clubs, on porn sets, walking the “tracks”, signed up with escort agencies…you name it. Many women Treasures serves share stories of their boyfriends, pimps, or even their fathers manipulating or forcing them into the sex industry when they were just teenagers. Most of these women don’t even realize they were victims of trafficking. Awareness is even needed among victims.
For answers to frequently asked questions about trafficking, click here.

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I am interested in educating myself about the industry, what resources do you have?

Answer:
Statistics
Our Stories

Recommended Movies (Mature audiences only):

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What is Scars and Stilettos?

Answer: Scars and Stilettos is our founder, Harmony Dust’s memoir.

It is Harmony’s stark, honest, & ultimately hopeful story of how God found her in that dark, noisy place & led her back out. She has since completed an MA in Social Welfare & now leads Treasures.

Harmony says, “This book puts a face on Treasures. It is not just some organization running around quoting stats. We are real women, reaching real women. I hope that this book illustrates the humanity in it all.”

Read the first pages here.
Order one or more copies here. Bulk rate and ministry discounts available.

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What does the local church need to know about restorative care for victims of Sexual Exploitation?

Answer: It is important for the church to know that healing is a process and the road to recovery is often messy for these women. As much as we would love for it to be this way, not many have the “Paul on the Road to Damascus” overnight experience.

Because the issues the women face are often multi-layered, it takes time for the Holy Spirit to work through the layers of healing that need to happen. The day a woman leaves the business is often only the beginning of the journey. Some women have been so affected by sex work and sexual trauma that part of their journey is learning to relate to both women and men in ways that are healthy and non-sexualized. Most are faced with looking for a new job, new friends, new everything. They are faced with working through the wreckage that the trauma from their past and their choices in response to that trauma have caused. Up to 90% of women in the sex industry were sexually abused as children. For many, this is a huge giant to tackle in the recovery process.

So bottom line, the church needs to know that healing is a process and grace and patience is needed.

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What are the effects on the mind of a woman/girl who is sexually exploited?

Answer: The effects of sexual trauma/sexual exploitation vary from person to person. Some of the common themes we see are feelings of powerlessness, feelings that their body is not their own, beliefs that their value is in their sexuality, that they are only “good enough” if they look a certain way, and in some cases, a sense of bonding with their captor/abuser that can be attributed to Stolkholm Syndrome.

We also see women who have become so familiar with being objectified and sexualized that not being treated this way can feel abnormal. Furthermore, women in the sex industry experience higher rates of depression, suicidality and post-traumatic stress disorder compared to the general population. Many are dealing with flashbacks, overwhelming sadness, nightmares, and urges to harm themselves.

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Why is it so hard to leave the industry?

Answer: Every week, Treasures receives emails and phone calls from women who say they are tired, frustrated, and ready to leave the industry…yet they find themselves feeling stuck. Many wonder if they will ever find a way out? How will they pay their bills? Who will hire them? And what in the world should they put on their resumes? Will they forever carry the stigma of having been in the industry?

One of the main obstacles we see facing women who want to leave the industry has to do with finances. Many are single mothers struggling to make ends meet. Others have been in the industry for so long, the idea of re-entering the work force in a different capacity is scary.

For others, using their sexuality to survive has become so “normal” that breaking this pattern requires a new set of tools and a new way of seeing themselves. It is not as easy as putting together a resume and going on a couple of interviews, often there is a lot of inner work that has to happen first.

For those who were forced into sex work by means of trafficking/pimping, fear for their safety comes into play. In some cases, women may even experience a sense of bonding with their pimp/trafficker as a result of Stockholm Syndrome.

Those who entered sex work in hopes of taking back control of their sexuality after experiencing sexual abuse and rape may feel anxiety about feeling powerless again. Others may find that physical or psychological conditions such as fibromyalgia, severe depression, and PTSD make it difficult to perform the tasks required in many full-time jobs outside of sex work.

Just as the circumstances that lead women into sex work vary, so do the challenges in leaving. Here is another blog that contains insights into what leads women into the industry and why it is so hard to leave: http://iamatreasure.com/2013/01/national-human-trafficking-month-is-almost-over-but-the-battle-is-not/

While there is no magic formula for getting out, I know it is possible because I (Harmony), along with countless other women, have done it. (Check out Our Stories to read their stories).

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How can I book Harmony for a speaking or media engagements?

Answer: To book Harmony for a speaking engagement, please fill out the Online Request Form.
For media/press requests, please email Lindsay Ackerman.

Press
About Harmony

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I am in the industry, what can Treasures do to help me?

Answer: The Treasures Team is here to support you. Here are just a few of the resources we can offer you:

• Care Packages
Sign up here to receive a care packages with some great resources including a free copy of Harmony Dust’s memoir, Scars and Stilettos. Sign up here.

• Care Team
Treasures can connect you with a peer mentor to encourage, pray with and support you along the way. Please contact care@iamatreasure.com for information.

• Support Group
If you are in the Los Angeles area, we invite you to participate in our therapist-led support group. Join with other women on the journey and start breaking free from the things that are breaking you. Please contact info@iamatreasure.com for information.

To find additional support in your area, see a list of Treasures Trained outreaches and affiliates. Click here.

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I used to work in the sex industry… how can I overcome my past?

Answer: Visit the Overcoming Your Past page for more on this.

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I am in the industry and want out, what can I do?

While there is no magic formula for getting out, I know it is possible because I, along with countless other women, have done it. (Check out their stories.) I hope to offer some insight and tips that will help you along the way.

And remember, you don’t have to do any of this alone. The Treasures Team is here to support you. Here are just a few of the resources we can offer you:

• Care Packages
Sign up here to receive a care packages with some great resources including a free copy of Harmony Dust’s memoir, Scars and Stilettos. Sign up here.

• Care Team
Treasures can connect you with a peer mentor to encourage, pray with and support you along the way. Please contact care@iamatreasure.com for information.

Ready to make the first step, or even to just start thinking about it? If so, click here for more info on what you can do.

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I struggle with addiction to porn, strip clubs, or prostitution, what can I do?

Answer: If you are struggling with an addiction to porn, strip clubs, prostitution or some other form of sexual addiction, you don’t have to face this alone. As a matter of fact, we believe that an important part of recovery is breaking the silence and enlisting the help of a safe and supportive community. Please visit Help for the Addicted section of our site. There you will find links to articles on sex addiction, a sexual addiction screening test, as well as a list of organizations and support groups that can help you in your recovery.

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How can I heal from my past?

Answer: Visit the Overcoming Your Past page for more on this.

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Someone I love is in the industry, what can I do?

Answer: The foundation of the work we do at Treasures is communicating love, value and purpose to the women we reach and serve. When it comes to having a loved-one in the sex industry, we recommend that same foundation.

You can’t “fix” her. As a matter of fact, trying to fix her or get her to see things from your perspective might just push her further away. But you can love her. You can encourage her, pray for her and support her in the ways she has invited you to support her. And you can do all of this while still having healthy boundaries and not losing your sanity in the process.

If you have found yourself trying to convince your loved one of the error of their ways, I am guessing you have started to figure out that this usually doesn’t work. Perhaps it is time to take a different approach. Maybe it’s time to begin to try to see things from their perspective. Why is she in the industry? Why does she stay in patterns that you believe are destructive to her? She might not be able to answer these questions, but reading the stories of other women who have been in her shoes might help you build understanding and empathy. We have an entire section of our site dedicated to sharing these stories. You can read them here: Our Stories.

We encourage you to thrive. The more you know who you are and live in the purpose you were created for, the more you will inspire her to do the same. Get passionate about your relationship with God, find ways to engage in your own healing process. The more you thrive, the more likely she will do the same. There is a quote that says “show me your friends and I’ll show you you’re future.” If you are her friend, the more you succeed at living fully, the less her chances are at staying where she is.

If you have found yourself immersed in your loved-ones issues and circumstances, managing her responsibilities, owning her pain, or trying to “fix” her, chances are, you might be struggling with co-dependency. The best thing you can do for your friend, and mostly for yourself, is to get support for this. We highly recommend finding a Celebrate Recovery (Christian-based 12-Step Recovery), or a traditional 12-step meeting for people struggling with co-dependency. You can also find some great resources in our Recommended Reading section.

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Can you help my friend?

Answer: We often get requests from concerned, well-meaning people, asking us to contact their loved-ones. Moms who are worried about their daughters. Husbands concerned for their wives. Friends who want to help. We totally understand the desire to have Treasures step in and make a call, but this is not something we do.

We believe that each person must take responsibility for their own healing journey and recovery process. Making a step to reach out for help is a part of this. If we step in on behalf of a loved-one, we are taking this responsibility from them. In the long run, we don’t believe this serves them well.

If your loved one says they need help, encourage them to initiate contact with us. In doing so, they are taking an important step in their own healing journey.

They are welcome to sign up for a care package in our Industry Girls Only section and we will send them some great resources including a free copy of Harmony’s memoir, Scars and Stilettos.

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How can I volunteer with Treasures?

Answer: There are plenty of ways to get involved with Treasures. Here are just a few:

Prayer Team

No matter where you live, you can join the network of prayer partners from around the globe. To sign up, and to see a list of our prayer needs, click here.

Other volunteer opportunities

If you would like to get involved by giving your time, join the Treasures volunteer team. In-office, outreach, marketing, fundraising, and grant-writing help needed. Download Application

Internship

Treasures is excited to announce that we are partnering with Oasis to provide an accredited internship!

If you have a heart to reach, serve and impact the lives of women working in the sex industry, and would like to grow in your leadership skills and capacity, this could be the place for you.

The Oasis Internship is designed to train leaders in urban and cross-cultural ministry in one of the most influential cities in the world. The Internship Program is an accredited opportunity for you to grow in your personal and professional leadership to make an impact on your world. THIS INTERNSHIP IS A CATALYST FOR LEADERSHIP GROWTH!

You can find the application at the link here: www.oasisla.org/life–oasis/internship-program/

Please email your application to Ashley@OasisLA.org. To learn more about the Internship Program, please call 818-287-8055 x 108.

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I am not able to volunteer, what are some of the other ways I can get involved?

Answer: Everyone can do something to partner with us as we provide spiritual inspiration, mentoring, and resources to women in the sex industry.

Become a Prayer Partner
Become a Financial Partner.

For a list of 15 Things you can do, click here.

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I am a pastor or a church leader, what can I do to raise awareness in my congregation?

Answer: The best thing you can do as a pastor or a leader is to create an atmosphere in your church where people are free to talk about the connection between their sexuality and their spirituality. When people try to face issues of sexual brokenness alone, they often find themselves feeling further isolated and ashamed. Offering recovery groups for sexual addiction, sexual abuse and other related issues is a great way to raise awareness and facilitate a community of support.

Celebrate Recovery (www.celebraterecovery.com) , a Christ-Centered 12-Step program, has developed a effective model for churches to follow.

You may also consider having Harmony come speak at one of your events or services in order begin to break the silence on the issue of sexual addiction and brokenness. Submit an online request form here.

For additional information and resources, please visit our Resource section.

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How can I start an outreach?

Answer: Treasures is called and has a vision to lead outreach trainings to equip women who have a calling and heart to reach women in the sex industry in their city. If you are interested in starting an outreach, we will provide the training, support, encouragement, resource and prayer.

We have been reaching & serving women in the sex industry since 2003. If you want to start an outreach in your city, we encourage you to take advantage of our experience and what we have learned about what works and what doesn’t by attending one of our National Outreach Trainings.

If you have more questions about starting an outreach, please email training@iamatreasure.com.

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I have never been in the industry, but I have a heart to reach the women. Is there a place for me in a ministry like this?

Answer: We have plenty of women on our team that do not have a background in the sex industry and there is definitely a place for them! I have found that some of the girls we reach say that it is so nice to talk to someone that isn’t in the business for a change. On the other hand, we sometimes have women express apprehension about sharing with someone who has never been in the business. Usually the apprehension boils down to insecurity about being judged. As long as the person can demonstrate that while she may not have walked in her shoes, she knows what it means to need grace and is not coming from an “Oh my gosh, how could you do such and such” place, they are able to make a great connection.

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