Ms Valli Mendez

Ms Valli Mendez
(Project Respect, Melbourne)

Trafficking of Women into Australia for Prostitution, from an NGO’s Perspective

Abstract:

Project Respect, a small grassroots NGO, spent many years lobbying for Federal Government recognition that trafficking of women for prostitution was indeed a problem in Australia. Project Respect spearheaded the campaign that preceded the Government's October 2003 announcement of a $20m counter-trafficking program. Today's presentation will look at the work of Project Respect and the effectiveness of advocacy and support of trafficked women from a NGO perspective.

Biographical note:

Valli Mendez, acting co-ordinator of Project Respect, a Melbourne-based NGO, has been working in the community sector for eight years. She previously worked as a drama and dance teacher in secondary schools. Her strong interest in community arts led her to study community development. She worked for two years at the East Timor Human Rights Centre in Melbourne and has been a part of Project Respect since 2001. Currently, Valli is working with the Brunswick Women's Theatre to develop a two year theatre project as a means of community education on issues around prostitution and trafficking.

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