USM, PENANG, 27 February 2017 - Society needs to step out of the norm in rescuing the rejected and marginalised sex workers, empower them with self worth and restore them back to society with acceptance and love.

This was the conclusion made by the senior lecturer of Social Work from the School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Dr. Rose Jacob during her presentation recently.

Rose presented the findings of a research regarding the true stories of five women who are sex workers and have children under their care and their various experiences of the reasons for their involvement in prostitution.

She said, they chose this line of work because money is important to them and they need it to continue living and for us, we should not just simply abandon them, instead try to befriend them and get to know them, their background and lifestyle so that we can help them.

Rose has 30 years of social work experience with the Department of Social Welfare Malaysia and has published several books, her latest being "The Voices of Prostitutes".

She is also a Registered and Licensed Counsellor with the Board of Counsellors Malaysia.

Some 40 participants attended the seminar series organised by the USM School of Social Sciences.

Text: Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah