Click to play videoChennai: Sex workers of Chennai have to deal with physical abuse on a daily basis. But now they are looking to fight back and have discovered that the best defence, is a good offence.
28-year-old sex worker Anita (name changed) has been a victim of sexual abuse several times. But now she has decided that she won't tolerate violence of any kind and that is why she enrolled herself for karate classes. And not just to defend herself, but also to help other women.
"There have been many times when I have felt helpless when my clients beat me and harass me. But now, I'm confident that not only can I save myself from them, I can also fight back and even help other women who suffer at the hands of men," said Anita.
Anita is one of the 75 sex workers from across Chennai that the Indian Community Welfare Organisation has selected for this self-defence programme. The organisation believes that the training will give these women the confidence to defend themselves from unreasonable customers and handle violent situations.
"This program will help them firstly protect themselves from getting sexually exploited and violence. It will also help other women who get stuck in similar situations," said Founder Secretary, Indian Community Welfare Organisation, A J Hariharan.
For most of the women in the profession of flesh trade, learning karate means much more than just an art of self-defence. It gives them a sense of hope and encouragements to not only protect themselves from unruly clients but also save other women from harassment.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter and Google+)
displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of CNN-IBN does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them.