Since July 2013, the District Attorney’s Office, Corpus Christi Police Department and Coastal Bend Wellness Coalition have joined forces in a Prostitution Diversion Program titled Red Cord. This program is intended to help women and men involved in prostitution have a second chance at life and find a way out of their current environment and present circumstances.

The program entails providing services such as substance abuse treatment, health evaluation and treatment, mental health evaluation and treatment, job skills programs, education programs as well as temporary housing all provided by the non-profit partners.

With the help of Judge D. Galvan, Asst. District Attorney Lorena Whitney, substance abuse agencies and several community agencies, Red Cord successfully removed 2 participants, ages 39 and 52, out of prostitution and improve their quality of life. These women have found stable housing, link to social services, gain employment, increase self-esteem, and even found faith in their future free of having to resort back to surviving through prostitution. One of the clients was successfully linked to substance abuse treatment services and remains sober. The other participant is a mother of two and this program has provided them the opportunity to remain a strong family unit in their own housing unit.

The Coastal Bend Wellness has counseled, case managed and encouraged those who are really looking for a way out of their present circumstance and address those issues related to their involvement in prostitution. The path it takes out of prostitution is a long and difficult one for some. The complexity of circumstances and dedication it takes to make the necessary behavior changes to leave prostitution is too much for some to handle. We will continue to help those who are willing to help themselves.

Watch this video to learn more about Operation: Red Cord.