Encouraging safer sex among city prostitutes
Chan Chi-chung never would have imagined that one day his job would be convincing prostitutes and their clients to use condoms.
But after participating in Project Sunny, a programme that trains volunteers to advance health knowledge across the sex industry, the 30-year-old decided to give up his advertising career for a mission many would find embarrassing.
The project was launched by Community Health Organisation for Intervention, Care and Empowerment (Choice) - a group that aims to empower sex workers - and the government's Red Ribbon Centre early this year.
Ten volunteers attended workshops hosted by public health professionals, social workers and police officers. They now visit red light districts to distribute condoms and spread safer sex knowledge.
'Breaking the ice with sex workers is the most challenging part. But it is no longer embarrassing now that I have learned communication techniques,' said Mr Chan, who recently joined Choice full time.
Shocked to find many youngsters visiting the mainland for prostitutes and drugs, he said he hoped to educate young students about sex and Aids.
Choice founder Shara Ho Pik-yuk said the government had tried offering a similar programme using medical staff but Project Sunny had achieved better results.
'Sex workers feel resistant because they see the medical staff as people sent by the government to lecture them. But participants in our project can play the role of peers when talking to them,' she said.
Choice is the first organisation offering free, rapid HIV tests for sex workers. Ms Ho said this was necessary as the Department of Health's social hygiene clinics had restricted HIV testing to holders of a Hong Kong ID card, turning away mainland and overseas prostitutes.
