Dear FORUM,

On behalf of the thousands of sex workers and their children world wide I
just wanted to join in congratulating the producers, writers and
particularly the children in Sonagachi for the Documentary film “Born Into
Brothels” which has won the OSCAR award 2005 for the Best Documentary Film.

That the accolades are coming for the efforts of some very brave indians is
also a credt to the resolve and pride in an industry that emmanates from a
highly successful community development initiative in West Bengal India.

In an era where sexual health and safety will make or break a whole society
it is important to go back to first prinicples and look to the harm
minimisation and protective behaviours that this industry, like many other
dangerous industries, requires to protect workers customers and the wider
community.

I am sure there will be people who see God weeping about this but the last
time I was talking to Him he seemed pretty happy about the fact that people
for whom Christ died are being recognised and respected and in due course
will also be protected as we face the realities of the physicalities of
mind, emotion and will that makes this creation such an exciting creative
effort.

Geoffrey
E-mail: <gheaviside@...>