President Barack Hussein Obama On The Affordable Care Act:

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Jueseppi B.

By Jueseppi B.

“Alycia is the mother of Avey, who is a beautiful, sweet, 3-year-old girl who also happens to have Leukemia. Imagine what that’s like for a parent. While you’re just figuring out how to take care of a baby, you’ve got to figure out how you’re going to pay for expensive treatment that could save your baby’s life.

Any parent knows that there is nothing we won’t do to take care of our kids. And it’s nice to have somebody getting your back. And that’s why the Affordable Care Act made it illegal for bad actors in the insurance industry to discriminate against kids like Avey. And today, Avey is doing just great. She was here just a second ago, where is she? There’s Avey — hey, sweetie! So Alycia wrote in — she said, “The health care law is about people like me. It’s AlyciaCare.”

President Obama spoke about the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and promoted opportunities for people to sign up for subsidized health insurance. He also spoke about the law’s benefits to women.

President Obama Speaks on the Affordable Care Act

Published on May 10, 2013

President Obama delivers statement on the impact of the Affordable Care Act on the health, lives and pocketbooks of women and their families. May 10, 2013.

Remarks by the President on the Affordable Care Act

East Room

2:49 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you so much, everybody, and welcome to the White House. I want to thank Carol for the wonderful introduction.

And let me just start off with a public service announcement to dads, partners, kids of America — (laughter) — Sunday is Mother’s Day. (Laughter.) You should not forget. (Laughter.) You can’t go wrong with flowers, a homemade card, giving some mom — giving mom some relief, some quiet time. That is appreciated. (Laughter.)

So it’s a day when we put moms first. And I still remember one time I said to Michelle — this is back when we had just gotten married and I think Malia had just been born, and we were fussing around Mother’s Day, and I said, but you know, how come we do so much stuff on Mother’s Day? She says, because every other day is Man’s Day. (Laughter.) So this is like one day. And there was, as usual, profound insight in Michelle’s remarks because moms so often put themselves last; so often they put everything else before themselves.

And that’s particularly true when it comes to things like health care. Moms take care of us. (Baby cries.) Yes, see? (Laughter.) Case in point. Sick kids, aging parents, grumpy husbands. And I know there are lots of moms out there who often go without the care that they need, or the checkups they know they should get, because they’re worrying that co-pay has to go to gas, or groceries, or the new soccer uniform instead. Or worse, they know the unfairness of being charged more for their health care just because they’re a woman, or the stress of trying to manage a family budget when health care costs are impinging on it, or trying to insure a sick child only to be told “no” over and over again.

So we decided that needed to change. In a country as wealthy as this one, there was no reason why a family’s security should be determined by the chance of an illness or an accident. We decided to do something about it.

Thanks to the women in this room and people all across the country, we worked really hard — and it’s now been more than three years since Congress passed the Affordable Care Act and I signed it into law. (Applause.) It’s been nearly a year since the Supreme Court upheld the law under the Constitution. (Applause.) And, by the way, six months ago, the American people went to the polls and decided to keep going in this direction. So the law is here to stay. (Applause.)

And those of us who believe that every American deserves access to quality, affordable health care have an obligation to now make sure that full implementation moves forward the way it needs to.

Basically, there are two main things that the American people need to know about this law and what it means. First, if you’re one of the nearly 85 percent of Americans who already have health insurance — whether it’s through your employer, or Medicare or Medicaid — you don’t have to do a thing. This law already provides you with a wide array of new benefits, tough new consumer protections, stronger cost control measures than existed before the law passed. And those things are already in place — you’re benefiting from, you just may not know it. Making sure that insurers can’t take advantage of you. Making sure that your child can stay on your health insurance until they’re 27 years old. So a lot of those provisions are already in place providing help and assistance to people all across the country.

Now, second, if you’re one of the tens of millions who don’t have health insurance, beginning this fall, you’ll finally be able to compare and buy quality, affordable private plans that work for you. (Applause.) So that’s what you need to know. If you’ve already got health insurance, this has just enhanced it. And if you don’t, you’re going to be able to get it.

For three years now, this law has provided real and tangible benefits to millions of Americans. Women in particular now have more control over their own care than ever before. And I’m pleased to be joined today by many women who wrote in to tell us what the Affordable Care Act means to them.

Carol Metcalf told us, “My oldest child is 22, recent college grad, a traumatic brain injury survivor with a rare genetic lung disease. Without the Affordable Care Act, he would have been removed from our family health insurance policy this year. And his health is excellent, but the cost of maintenance is overwhelming. And given his history, he would be virtually uninsurable under the old set of ‘rules.’ Instead of contemplating law school, all of his resources would have been channeled into somehow, somewhere, finding health insurance.” That’s what Carol wrote.

So Carol and her son Justin are why the Affordable Care Act lets young people stay on their parent’s plan until they turn 26. And today, as she put it, “now Justin’s future is governed by what he wants to achieve, not what health insurance mandates.” And, by the way, Justin is here — a fine-looking young man right here. (Applause.) Sunday is Mother’s Day. (Laughter.) Just wanted to make sure you remembered that.

Alycia is the mother of Avey, who is a beautiful, sweet, 3-year-old girl who also happens to have Leukemia. Imagine what that’s like for a parent. While you’re just figuring out how to take care of a baby, you’ve got to figure out how you’re going to pay for expensive treatment that could save your baby’s life.

Any parent knows that there is nothing we won’t do to take care of our kids. And it’s nice to have somebody getting your back. And that’s why the Affordable Care Act made it illegal for bad actors in the insurance industry to discriminate against kids like Avey. And today, Avey is doing just great. She was here just a second ago, where is she? There’s Avey — hey, sweetie! (Applause.) So Alycia wrote in — she said, “The health care law is about people like me. It’s AlyciaCare.” (Laughter.)

And because of AlyciaCare — the Affordable Care Act -– insurance companies can no longer impose lifetime limits on the amount of care you receive, or drop your coverage if you get sick, or discriminate against children with preexisting conditions. And women now have access to free preventive care like checkups, and mammograms, and cancer screenings, so you can catch preventable illness on the front end. And that provision has already helped more than 70 million Americans with private insurance. That’s already happening. A lot of people don’t know it, but you’ve got those protections.

Because of the Affordable Care Act, young adults under the age of 26, as we talked about, are able to stay on their parent’s health insurance plan — and that’s already helping more than 6 million young adults.

Because of the Affordable Care Act, seniors on Medicare receive free checkups and preventive care with no co-pay or deductible, and get a discount on their prescription drugs. That has already saved over 6 million seniors more than $700 each. That’s already been happening. Seniors may not know that they’ve been getting $600 discounts, but it’s there.

Because of the Affordable Care Act, insurers now have to justify double-digit rate increases publicly, for everybody to see. And most states have new authority thanks to incentives under this law to reject unjustifiable rate increases. Insurers are now required to spend at least 80 percent of the money you pay in premiums on actual health care -– not on profits, not on overhead, but on you. And if they fail to meet that target, they actually have to reimburse you — either with a rebate or lower premiums. Millions of Americans discovered this last year — they opened an envelope from their insurance company that wasn’t a bill, it was a check. That’s already happened. A lot of people don’t know it, but that’s what the Affordable Care Act is all about.

Beginning this week, as part of the law’s price transparency tools, we made public the prices that different hospitals charge you for most common services, so you can see if you’re getting what you pay for. And soon, bad actors in the insurance industry will never again be able to discriminate against you just because you’ve gotten sick in the past. (Applause.) They can’t discriminate against you because you’ve got a preexisting condition. And, by the way, they can’t charge you more just for being a woman. (Applause.) Pregnancy will no longer be considered a preexisting condition. (Applause.)

And finally, beginning this fall, if you’re one of the millions of Americans who don’t have health insurance, you’ll finally have the chance to buy quality, affordable care just like everybody else.

So here’s how this is going to work. We’re setting up a new online marketplace where, beginning October 1st, you can go online, or talk to organizations in every state that are going to have this set up, and you can then comparison shop an array of private health insurance plans. You can look at them side-by-side, just like you’d go online and compare cars. And because you’ll now be part of a new pool of millions of other Americans, part of this exchange, insurance companies will actually want to compete for your business the same way they compete for the business of a big company with a lot of employees.

So once these marketplaces are up and running, no one can be turned away from private insurance plans. Period. If you’re sick, you’ll finally have the same chance to buy quality, affordable health care as everybody else. If you can’t afford to buy private insurance, if it’s still too expensive — even though you’re getting much better prices through these exchanges than you would in the individual market, going out there by yourself, or if you work for just a small company that doesn’t have a lot of leverage with insurance companies you’re going to have a better deal through these exchanges — but if you still can’t afford it, then you’re going to get help reducing your out-of-pocket premiums with the largest health care tax cut for working families and small businesses in our history. (Applause.)

So what does all this mean? It means that if you lose your job, or you change your job, or you start that new business, you’ll still be able to purchase quality, affordable care that’s yours — and you’ll have the security and peace of mind that comes with it. If you’re a young person expecting to try many different jobs and careers until you find one that suits you, you’ll be able to buy insurance that goes with you, travels with you, that gives you the freedom to pursue whatever you want without the fear that illness or accident somehow derails your dreams.

So there’s a lot that this law is already doing for Americans with insurance, and there is a lot more that is going to happen for folks who don’t have insurance. But we’ve still got a lot of work to do in the coming months to make sure more Americans can buy affordable coverage. And with something as personal as health care, I realize there are people who are anxious, people who are nervous, making sure that we get this done right.

So I’m here to tell you, I am 110 percent committed to getting it done right. It’s not an easy undertaking, but if it were easy, it would have already been done a long time ago. Undoubtedly, there will be some mistakes and hiccups as the thing gets started up, but we’re learning already from them. For example, when the prototype of the application to join the marketplace came in at 21 pages — the initial first cut at it — we said, you know what, we can do better than that. It’s now three pages long. Three pages. By the way, the industry standard is actually about 17 pages. So three pages is good. (Laughter.) That’s a lot shorter than the application you generally have to fill out now for private insurance.

But this is going to be a lot of work. And obviously, there is still a lot of political bickering over this law. The same folks who fought tooth and nail four years ago and tried to make political hay out of Obamacare, they’re still telling tall tales about its impact. Some small businesses are being told their costs are going to go up, even though they’re exempted from the law or they actually stand to benefit from it. And whenever insurance premiums go up, you’re being told it’s because of Obamacare — even though there’s no evidence that that’s the case. So right now there are a whole bunch of folks out there, their insurance company decided to jack up rates, and they’re automatically assuming, well, somehow the law had something to do with it. No, that had to do with a decision the insurance company made. In some cases, employers may be shifting more costs onto employees because they think that will help their bottom line. It’s convenient to somehow say, well, it must be the new law. It’s not the case.

So precisely because there’re been so much misinformation, sometimes people may not have a sense of what the law actually does. And that misinformation will continue -– at least through the next Election Day.

But what all the people on this stage understand is this is too important for political games. Most moms and dads don’t think about politics when their kid gets sick. (Applause.) They’re thinking about doing whatever it takes to make sure that child is well. (Applause.) This is an issue of personal security. This is personal to Carol and Alycia and anybody who’s ever known the injustice and anxiety of a broken health care system. That’s what this is about. That’s why we fought so hard to make this happen. And that’s why we’re determined to get it done right.

And we’re going to need everybody out there to make sure –get the right information. Don’t just read a blog — (laughter) — or some commentary from some pundit that has a political agenda. Make sure you know what the actual facts are, because you stand to benefit if you’re not already benefiting from this thing. Don’t let people confuse you. Don’t let them run the okiedoke on you. (Laughter.) Don’t be bamboozled. (Laughter.)

Now, there’s one more person I want to mention here today -– somebody who I’ve spoken of several times over the past few years. When I first received a letter from Natoma Canfield, she was a self-employed cancer survivor from Ohio; she’d always done the responsible thing by buying her own insurance on the private market, even though it was very expensive.

A few years ago, her insurance company charged her over $6,000 in premiums, paid for only $900 worth of care, told her they’d jack up her rates another 40 percent anyway — even though she’d been cancer-free for more than a decade. Despite her desire to keep her health insurance — despite her fears that she would get sick again — she finally just had to surrender her coverage. Couldn’t afford it. Hung her fortunes on chance. And just a few weeks later, she fell ill, and was diagnosed with Leukemia. Just days before health care reform became a reality.

And I kept Natoma’s story with me as we fought to pass this law, and I hung her letter on one of my walls in the Oval Office. And while she couldn’t be there the day I signed the Affordable Care Act into law, Natoma is here today. And because of this law — here’s Natoma right here. Give her a big round of applause. (Applause.) Because of this law, there are millions of other Americans — moms and dads, and daughters and sons — who no longer have to hang their fortunes on chance.

Because we are not going to inflict that hardship on the American people again. The United States of America does not sentence its people to suffering just because they don’t make enough to buy insurance on the private market. (Applause.) Just because their work doesn’t provide health insurance. Just because they fall sick or suffer an accident — that could happen to anybody. And regular access to a doctor or medicine or preventive care — that’s not some earned privilege, it is a right.

So I understand the politics of this stuff sometimes, but there are times when I just want people to step back and say, are you really prepared to say that 30 million Americans out there shouldn’t have health insurance? Are you really prepared to say that’s not a worthy goal? Because of politics?

That’s why we’re going to keep fighting with everything we’ve got to secure that right, to make sure that every American gets the care that they need when they need it at a price that they can afford. That’s what our families deserve. That’s what the vast majority of Americans believe in. That’s what we’re going to make sure that we deliver. And we’re going to do it with your help.

Thank you very much, everybody. God bless you. Thank you. (Applause.)

END
3:11 P.M. EDT

History Of The Affordable Health Care Act

President Obama Signs Health Reform Into Law

Uploaded on Mar 23, 2010

President Obama signs the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a historic piece of legislation that will expand health insurance coverage to millions of Americans and put an end to the worst insurance industry practices.

Implementing the Affordable Care Act

Uploaded on Jun 22, 2010

President Obama details the efforts that have gone into implementing key benefits of the Affordable Care Act in the 90 days after its passage, including expanding consumer protections that amount to a Patient’s Bill of Rights. June 22, 2010.

The Story of the Affordable Care Act: From an Unmet Promise to the Law of the Land

Published on Mar 22, 2012

Learn how the Affordable Care Act benefits you:https://my.barackobama.com/acaanniver…

March 23rd, 2012 is the Affordable Care Act’s two year anniversary.

This video shows the road to health reform and how the president delivered affordable health care for all Americans.

President Obama’s remarks after Supreme Court upolds Affordable Health Care Act

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Reacts to Supreme Court Decision Upholding Affordable Care Act

Published on Jun 28, 2012

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton (D) reacts positively to the Supreme Court’s early Thursday ruling upholding President Obama’s Affordable Care Act.

Entire Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) hearing at the Supreme Court (Days 1-3)

Now for something totally Different…..

President Obama’s Middle Class Jobs & Opportunity Tour – Austin, Texas

May 10, 2013 | 3:00 | Public Domain

President Obama traveled to Austin, Texas, kicking off a series of Middle Class Jobs & Opportunity Tours focused on creating a strong and vibrant economy built on good middle class jobs. President Obama is not waiting for Congress to act, and he will continue pushing lawmakers on Capitol Hill to take action on our economic initiatives while doing everything he can to strengthen the economy and create jobs.

Filed under: "BARACK" The Vote, 2014 Mid Term Elections, Abortion Rights, Abuse/Domestic Violence/VAWA, Affordable Health Care Act, Barack's Blog, Business, Campaign Ads, Causes, Celebrity, Court Room/Legal, Daily White House Schedule, Democrats/Democratic, Education, Event, Good News, Health, Information & Links, Joy & Happiness, Medicare/Medicaid/Social Security, News, Photographs, Politics, POTUS Obama, Speech, Stories, The White House, The White House Daily Snapshot, Videos, White House Blog, Women's Causes, World News | Tagged: Affordable Care Act, AHCA Speech, Americans, Barack Obama, Insurance, Mother's Day, Obama, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, United States | Leave a Comment »

Beyond The Streets

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Jueseppi B.

By Jueseppi B.

A new author I follow, who writes about a cause I strongly believe in, pulled my coat to this charity from the UK. She has no idea she did the coat pulling…..

“All royalties received from the sale of “In Her Own Words… Interview with a London Call Girl” are donated to Beyond the Streets, a charity working to end sexual exploitation. Registered charity number: 1099006. beyondthestreets.org.uk.”

This is taken from the Amazon.com website for the book “In Her Own Words… Interview with a London Call Girl” written by Ms. Ruth Jacobs.

Ms. Ruth Jacobs is an author……

But this post is about a very worthwhile charity.

BBC London Radio interview with Ruth Jacobs about her charity publication for Beyond the Streets

Published on Sep 2, 2012

“In Her Own Words… Interview with a London Call Girl” is a charity publication. It’s 77p to download from Amazon UK athttp://amzn.to/P992RY & 99c to download from Amazon US at http://amzn.to/Qo3SZD. It’s also available worldwide. All royalties are being donated to Beyond the Streets, a charity helping women exit prostitution.

BBC London Radio 94.9FM – Kath Melandri interviews Ruth Jacobs in the Ladies’ Lounge about In Her Own Words… Interview with a London Call Girl – the charity publication for Beyond the Streets.

Soul Destruction website: http://www.soul-destruction.com

Soul Destruction Facebook page:http://www.facebook.com/SoulDestructi…

Ruth Jacobs on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/rujacobs

Ruth Jacobs on Twitter:http://www.twitter.com/RuthFJacobs

Beyond the Streets

Beyond the Streets is a UK charity working to end sexual exploitation.

Our vision is to see a world where people are free from exploitation, and where those involved in prostitution have the option to pursue genuine alternatives, free from constraints such as drug use, abusive relationships and poverty.

The sex industry is an ever expanding arena for sexual exploitation. Street prostitution, off-street prostitution, sex tourism, strip clubs, lap dancing, international and domestic trafficking and pornography are some of the venues where sexual exploitation against women, children and men happen every day. We are working towards seeing an end to the sexual exploitation of those in prostitution, many of whom have been trafficked. We believe that sex trafficking and prostitution overlap in fundamental ways and that there is an inequality of social and economic power between those exploited and those who exploit. The sex industry is a theatre for gender power dynamics to take the stage.

It is unknown how many people are working in prostitution in the UK – but what we do know is that it affects people in every town and city in the UK.

Prioritising the involvement of those exploited by the sex industry we seek to move….

Beyond Prostitution

We believe in life beyond prostitution and understand that change becomes sustainable when a person is empowered rather than simply treated as a passive victim.

Beyond the Limits

We believe that people exploited by prostitution and sex trafficking deserve access to genuine and attainable alternatives. Campaigning alone is not enough; alternatives have to be provided.

Most Recent Entries

Beyond the Label

We believe that it is vital to look beyond the terms ‘prostitute’ and ‘sex worker’ and treat with respect and dignity the person behind the label.

Address:

Beyond the Streets

PO Box 1676

Southampton

SO15 9DA

Contact:

Tel: 0845 0044231

Email:office@beyondthestreets.org.uk

Beyond The Label

Raising awareness, reducing stigma and advocating on the topic of prostitution.

Prostitute, person or possession?

Prostitution and trafficking have become hot topics over recent years yet all too easily the human connection is lost and stereotypes reverted to.

Branded ‘prostitute’, the person behind the label becomes invisible – their hopes, their dreams, their struggles, their sorrows are overlooked as society pronounces judgement on them, their lives and the decisions they’ve made.
‘Irresponsible’, ‘drug dependent’, ‘liberated’, ‘morally lax’, ‘sex-obsessed’.

It is easy to think we know a person’s story when we’ve never actually taken the time to listen to them.

It’s not surprising then that, having lost sight of our shared humanity, we falter in our efforts to eliminate exploitation, remove stigma and equalise social participation.

At Beyond the Streets…

We’re committed to ensuring that the voices of those affected by prostitution are heard – at the individual level, the societal level and the legislative level.

Working alongside those who have been exploited we seek to connect with key decision makers such as Government Ministers, MPs, and Peers to ensure that the needs of those being exploited are adequately represented and to respond to policy proposals.

You too can make a difference. Donate today to help bring life beyond the streets.

I was shocked to have my experience whilst in prostitution valued, understood and accepted. I was asked to speak at one of their conferences and it was a launch pad for me, it gave me courage to stand up and speak of my experiences. It has opened doors of opportunity I had never dreamed of.’ - (Survivor of prostitution)

Stereotypes
I am afraid to have to admit
that the public have the view
us working girls in Hillfields
do whatever we’re asked to do.

Police and press portray
‘our kind’ as druggies, half dead and diseased
maybe just one or two are that
but that’s all they’ll let you see.
An easy life we choose to live
That is what they say.
If that’s true then you should try,
I bet you couldn’t hack one day.

Don’t pass judgement on the unknown;
desperation drives us to what we do;
we see no choice, no escape from this,
it could so easily be you! - Anna

Get Involved

Knowing how you can get involved is often tricky. But we believe that everyone can make a difference and do something to help make life beyond the streets a reality. Here are some suggestions of how you can get involved.

Make a Donation

Many people want to help by giving their time but what we are increasingly finding that many projects are currently unable to take on new volunteers. What does make a huge impact are people who are prepared to give financial support. Even £5 a month can make a big difference.

Your donations are vital to our efforts of tackling sexual exploitation and providing life beyond the streets. Donate today or sign up to be a regular donor.

We ensure we keep overheads to a minimum to ensure we maximise every contribution.

Attend one of our Awareness Days

We invite you to join us for an interactive day exploring the issues around prostitution and trafficking in the UK. This day is for you if you want to explore the concepts and learn how to engage effectively. This day is hosted by a local project and you will have a chance to hear from a practitioner about working in this area. If you would like some more information about these days and when they are happening please contact us on office@beyondthestreets.org.uk

Volunteer at a local project

Beyond the Streets works in partnership with over 50 local projects across the nation carrying out a wide variety of work, from nightly on-street outreach to drop-in centres to running safe houses. Email us at office@beyondthestreets.org.uk with your name and geographical location and we’ll match you up with projects in your area.

Sign up to our Skills Bank

Not able to volunteer on a regular basis due to other commitments or no local projects in your area? Then sign up to our Skills Bank. Whether it’s administrative support, legal advice, fundraising or sexual health training that you are able to offer, we’d love to hear from you. Let us know your geographical location, the skills you are able to offer, how much time you can commit and any other information you think would be relevant for us to know. We’ll keep a record of your details and then as and when the need for your specific skills arises we’ll get in touch.
Email office@beyondthestreets.org.uk using ‘Skills Bank’ as the subject line.

Host a Global Seesaw Party

Want a fun and interactive way to get involved? Then why not host a Global Seesaw Party? Global Seesaw is a fair trade social enterprise which seeks to bring freedom from exploitation through creating sustainable employment opportunities for women exploited through trafficking and prostitution. Each item produced tells the story of a woman’s journey to freedom. By selling their products you can become part of the story of freedom and also help raise funds for our work here in the UK.

To find out more about hosting a Global Seesaw Party email us atoffice@beyondthestreets.org.uk using ‘Global Seesaw Party’ as the subject line. You can also check out Global Seesaw athttp://www.globalseesaw.co.uk

Talk to your MP

MPs have the power to change the legislative framework within which the UK seeks to tackle sexual exploitation and are always keen to hear from their constituents. Why not attend your local MPs surgery or write them a letter to find out how informed they are on the issues surrounding prostitution and sexual exploitation?

Encourage them to visit local projects and to work towards legislation which effectively protects the vulnerable.

Visit Our Blog… Beyond The Streets.

About Beyond The Streets:

Our History

Although Beyond the Streets is a new name, our organisation has been working with people involved in prostitution for 15 years and benefits from the guidance of a management team with over 80 years of combined experience in this work.

Our roots go back to 1995 when a small number of grassroots projects met up to share ideas on how best to enable people to exit prostitution. The lack of services providing holistic, specialist support to those experiencing sexual exploitation was quickly recognised so we decided to work together to address this need.

Since our beginnings the number of projects involved has increased remarkably and we now work in partnership with 50 projects across the UK directly addressing the needs of those in prostitution. As a result, the opportunities for people in the UK to leave prostitution or make significant lifestyle changes have increased considerably.

Over the years we have seen that successful exiting occurs when a person is respected as an individual, invited to participate in identifying their own needs and empowered to devise strategies to address these.

So whilst we continue to support and invest in projects we are increasingly working to develop creative platforms through which those whose lives are affected by prostitution can raise awareness of the real issues they face. We want to ensure that effective exiting strategies are informed by those who have successfully exited.

In 2008 we changed our name from the “National Christian Alliance on Prostitution” or NCAP for short to Beyond the Streets to convey more clearly our belief in the possibility of life beyond prostitution.

Our Values

Our values are central in defining who we are at Beyond the Streets and ensure that all we do remains focused on achieving our vision.

Working Together
We are committed to working together with individuals and other agencies in a spirit of cooperation not competition.

Learning
We are open to growth and change and seek to move beyond models of engagement which perpetuate the dynamic of ‘victim’ and ‘rescuer’.

Empowering
We believe that transformation is possible and so we actively communicate hope. We are holistic and aim to help the whole person – physical, mental, spiritual and social needs are important.

Non-Discriminatory
We actively promote a non-judgmental approach within all of our work, where everyone is treated with respect, value and dignity regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, background, ability, culture or religious beliefs.

Our Network

We work in partnership with 50 local projects across the UK directly addressing the needs of those in prostitution through the provision of drop-ins, street outreach, court diversion schemes, prison visiting, safe houses, home visits and counselling.

Since our beginnings we have been committed to the development of an effective network of supportive relationships between projects across the UK. Our desire is promote shared learning and mutual support amongst those working alongside people involved in prostitution. Here are some of the reasons why we are passionate about our network:

The exchange of information, skills, knowledge and experience helps to improve the overall competence of both individuals and organisations.

Information exchange leads to less duplication and in turn faster progress and greater impact.

Connecting people who may feel separated in this field provides opportunities for peer support and encouragement.

Working together creates the critical mass needed for local, national and international advocacy.

Bringing together individuals with experience in the field provides a necessary perspective in efforts to address complex ethical, developmental and practical issues.

Donate

Make a donation

Beyond the Streets receives a large proportion of its funding from people like you, who believe in the possibility of life beyond prostitution. Without your support our work would not be possible. Please help us by making a donation today.

Ways to donate:

Donate online via PayPal

Make a safe and secure donation using PayPal. Don’t worry if you don’t have a PayPal account, you can use your debit or credit card to make the payment.

Donate Online Via Paypal

Donate regularly by setting up a standing order

A regular donation helps us to plan our services more effectively. You can set up a regular monthly gift by downloading, completing and returning our postal standing order form. If you are unable to download this form then please email us at office@beyondthestreets.org.uk for a paper copy.

Download the Standing Order Form

Donate online via Give.net

Make a safe and secure donation using Give.net. You do not need a Stewardship Account, as you can use your debit or credit card to make the payment.

Donate Online Via Give.net

Make a one-off donation by cheque

All cheques should be made payable to ‘Beyond the Streets’. Please post them to the following address along with your name and address.

Beyond the Streets
PO Box 1676
Southampton
SO15 9DA

Remember us in your will

Very often a legacy is a gift that people could not have afforded to give in their lifetime. But this generous way of giving can change things for the better for many hundreds of people in need; allowing them to see that somebody really does care.

Remembering us in your legacy would enable Beyond the Streets to further their vision of seeing a world where people are free from sexual exploitation. Your gift will help us in training new projects, advocating on behalf of those exploited and directly impacting the lives of those sexually exploited.

If you would like further information about leaving a gift in your will then please download the form below.
Making a Legacy

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Updates, Latest News, Expert Pundits & A Lot Of Guess Work: The Castro Captive Caper

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Jueseppi B.

By Jueseppi B.

HOUSE OF HORRORS

Report: McKnight Delivered Berry’s Baby

about 2 hours ago May 8, 2013 8:14 PM EDT

More details emerge from their captivity and escape.

Michelle Knight was forced to deliver Amanda Berry’s baby as their alleged captor Ariel Castro stood nearby threatening to kill her if the baby died, according to a police report obtained by reporters. When the baby stopped breathing during birth, Knight put her mouth to the child’s and “breathed for her.” The report also details the moment of escape, when Castro forgot to lock the “big inside door” and Berry got the attention of neighbors. When the officers entered, Knight and Gina DeJesus threw themselves into police arms. Knight told police she was forced to abort five pregnancies.

Read it at WKYC

Kidnapper Says Girls to Blame: Report

about 8 hours ago May 8, 2013 2:15 PM EDT

For getting in his car.

In a suicide note allegedly written several years ago by Ariel Castro, the suspected kidnapper of Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight reveals who he thinks is responsible for their abduction: them. The 52-year-old, who is currently being held with his two brothers—Onil, 50, and Pedro, 54—says the teens are to blame for getting in his car. In the letter, first discovered by WOIO, the self-declared sex addict fails to acknowledge his own role in the crime, or even so much as mention the repeated sexual and physical abuse he had inflicted on the women.

Read it at The New York Post

Inside Cleveland Kidnapping Suspect Ariel Castro’s Facebook Life

about 8 hours ago by Brian Ries May 8, 2013 1:57 PM EDT

A Facebook page allegedly belonging to Cleveland kidnapping suspect Ariel Castro surfaced Wednesday morning. A look inside the page reveals a musician and loving grandfather—no sign of a monster who kept three women locked in his house as sex slaves.

Facebook profile

WELCOME BACK

Amanda Berry Returns Home

about 11 hours ago May 8, 2013 11:49 AM EDT

Police find chains and ropes in Castro house.

Amanda Berry, the 27-year-old woman who first broke free from Ariel Castro’s house and revealed that she and two other women had been held for more than a decade, returned home Wednesday. Meanwhile, new evidence indicated all three Cleveland women held in captivity for a decade were not only sexually and physically abused—they were also tied up, police announced Wednesday. “We have confirmation that they were bound, and there was chains and ropes in the home,” Chief Michael McGrath told NBC. Although their physical states were “very good,” McGrath says they were likely allowed outdoors only “once in a while.” The grisly details, initially discovered through interviews with the women, have been corroborated by evidence in the house. Ariel, Pedro, and Onil Castro—the three brothers accused of the crimes—are likely to be charged Wednesday.

Read it at NBC News

ARTICLE

They Let Him Drive a Bus?

about 12 hours ago by Steve Miller May 8, 2013 10:52 AM EDT

Ariel Castro, accused of kidnapping three Cleveland women, was a school bus driver with a long, long list of traffic infractions. Steve Miller digs up the suspect’s rap sheet.

Despite a driving record that included numerous points for moving violations and a move by the state to suspend his license, Ariel Castro drove a school bus for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District for over 20 years, before being fired in November 2012.

Records show Castro had numerous encounters with local police while driving, from illegal parking in July 1995 to failing to obey a traffic device in January 2001.

The infractions pose yet another question as to how Castro was able to carry on his life in a most average fashion, even as he allegedly held three women against their will in his modest four-bedroom, one-bath home on Cleveland’s west side.

READ FULL STORY

CLEVELAND HERO

My Name Is Charles Ramsey

about 13 hours ago by Jake Heller May 8, 2013 9:47 AM EDT

See the best TV moments of Charles Ramsey.

We first met Charles Ramsey, the hero who rescued three Cleveland women from close to a decade of captivity, in this amazing interview. His plain white T-shirt counterbalanced his colorful personality, and Ramsey’s intensity and wit shone through as he described his decisive actions. But first, he mentioned his meal at McDonald’s. Delicious.

The interview made him an Internet celebrity. Before long, “Charles Ramsey” was trending on Twitter, YouTubers were paying him Auto-Tuned homage, and Antoine Dodson was welcoming him into the pantheon of hilariously expressive local TV interview subjects.

(Here’s the requisite Gregory Brothers auto-tune:)

Then, breaking news! In an interview with Cleveland’s Plain Dealer, Ramsey revealed that he had been eating a Big Mac when he heard Amanda Berry’s screams—and that he brought the Big Mac with him as he went to rescue her.

READ FULL STORY

CLOSE TO HOME

What the Neighbors Saw

about 18 hours ago by Christine Pelisek May 8, 2013 4:45 AM

If three women were held hostage for 10 years on your block, would you notice? Christine Pelisek talks to shocked residents of Cleveland’s west side about the red flags they missed.

For many years, 52-year-old Ariel Castro was a neighborhood fixture on Seymour Avenue on Cleveland’s west side, greeting neighbors with a friendly, “Hello, God bless.”

“He would come home with these big ass bags of McDonald’s in his hands,” says Edwin Garcia, 19, who lives just down the street, of the former school bus driver. “We always just thought he was getting himself a big breakfast and lunch.”

What’s obvious now is that something much more sinister was going on inside the Castro home, where police say Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight were held as hostages ever since they vanished without a trace over a decade ago in their teens or early 20s.

READ FULL STORY

BERRY’S DISPATCHER

When 911 Is a Jerk

a day ago by David Freedlander May 7, 2013 7:32 PM EDT

When Amanda Berry called 911 after being held captive for 10 years, the Cleveland dispatcher didn’t keep her on the line until police came—but quibbled over her address and rushed to get off the phone. David Freedlander on the blowback.

The voice was frantic, pleading, sounding even more frightened than the usual call to 911.

“Hello, police. Help me, I’m Amanda Berry. I’ve been kidnapped and I’ve been missing for 10 years, and I’m, I’m here, I’m free now.”

But one of the first people Berry reached out to after a decade in captivity didn’t comfort her, didn’t assure her that help was soon on the way, didn’t even keep her on the phone until police arrived.

READ FULL STORY

From Reuters:

Ariel Castro charged in Cleveland kidnapping

(Reuters) – Cleveland resident Ariel Castro was charged on Wednesday with kidnapping and raping three women who were rescued from his house on Monday after nearly a decade in captivity.

Castro’s two brothers Pedro and Onil, originally arrested in the case, were not charged, said Cleveland city prosecutor Victor Perez at a news conference.

The charges came as police revealed that the women, who were rescued on Monday after one of them, Amanda Berry, fled with the help of a neighbor, had not seen any previous chances to escape in nearly ten years of captivity.

“The only opportunity, after interviewing the young ladies, to escape was the other day when Amanda escaped,” Cleveland Deputy Police Chief Ed Tomba said at the same news conference.

“They don’t believe that they’ve been outside that home for the last 10 years respectively,” he said.

“They were not in one room, but they did know each other and they did know each other was there,” he added.

Police said earlier that they found ropes and chains in the house that had been used to hold them prisoner. No human remains were found, they said.

Castro, 52, faces four counts of kidnapping relating to Berry, now 27, Gina DeJesus, 23, Michelle Knight, 32, and Berry’s 6-year-old daughter who was conceived and born during her mother’s captivity, authorities said.

A paternity test will be conducted to determine the girl’s father, Tomba said.

Castro is not a suspect in any other cases, he said.

Authorities were searching a second house in relation to the case, Tomba said.

Berry and DeJesus went to their families’ homes on Wednesday, while Knight was in a Cleveland hospital where a spokeswoman said she was in good condition.

The rape charges against Castro relate to Berry, DeJesus and Knight, the prosecutor said. He would be arraigned on Thursday morning, the prosecutor said.

Castro and his two brothers were arrested on Monday evening within hours of the women’s escape from his house.

However, there was no evidence Pedro Castro, 54, and Onil Castro, 50, were involved, the prosecutor said.

Investigators took some 200 pieces of evidence from the Castro house, which Tomba said was “in quite a bit of disarray.”

Neither Berry nor DeJesus spoke publicly as they were hustled inside their family’s homes, and relatives emerged instead to speak to the waiting crowds of spectators and media.

Berry and her daughter could be seen from an aerial television camera arriving in a convoy of vehicles at her sister’s house and going in the back door.

DeJesus was rushed into the home she had not seen in nine years, clenched in a tight embrace by her sister Mayra. DeJesus hid her face in a yellow hooded sweat-shirt but raised her hand in a thumbs-up sign to the crowd that was chanting “Gina. Gina.”

Her mother Nancy DeJesus came outside after a little while.

“I want to thank everybody that believed,” she said. “Even the ones that doubted, I still want to thank them the most because they’re the ones that made me stronger, the ones that made me feel the most that my daughter was out there.”

Before Monday evening, Berry had last been seen leaving her job at a fast-food restaurant the day before her 17th birthday in April 2003. Her disappearance as a teenager was widely publicized in the local media.

DeJesus vanished while walking home from school at age 14 in 2004, and Knight, 32, was 20 when she disappeared in 2002.

Born in Puerto Rico, Ariel Castro played bass in Latin music bands in the area. Records show he was divorced more than a decade ago and his ex-wife had since died. He is known to have at least one adult daughter and son.

(Additional reporting by Daniel Trotta, Barbara Goldberg; Writing by Ellen Wulfhorst; Editing by Grant McCool, Toni Reinhold and Bernard Orr)

Thank you Reuters.

Beth Berry Serrano, the sister of kidnap victim Amanda Berry, speaks to the press after the arrival of Berry at her home May 8 in Cleveland. Emmanuel Dunand, AFP/Getty Images

Neighbors and friends celebrate as Amanda Berry arrives at her sister’s home. Tony Dejak, AP

A police officer delivers balloons and flowers. Emmanuel Dunand, AFP/Getty Images.

A poster of Amanda Berry is pinned on a tree outside the home of her sister, Beth Serrano, in Cleveland. Tony Dejak, AP.

Balloons hang on a street pole near the Burger King restaurant where Amanda Berry worked and was last seen a decade ago. Emmanuel Dunand, AFP/Getty Images.

People decorate the family home of Gina DeJesus on May 7 in Cleveland. Emmanuel Dunand, AFP/Getty Images.

An FBI forensic investigator removes evidence from a home owned by Ariel Castro. He and his two brothers are accused of kidnappings the three women. Emmanuel Dunand, AFP/Getty Image.

The family home of Gina DeJesus was decorated by well wishers. Emmanuel Dunand, AFP/Getty Images.

People decorate the home belonging to Amanda Berry’s sister. Emmanuel Dunand, AFP/Getty Images.

The front door is broken open at a home where three women who disappeared years ago were discovered alive. Bill Pugliano, Getty Image.

Sheriff’s deputies guard a house in Cleveland. Tony Dejak, AP.

Charles Ramsey, a neighbor, speaks to the media near the home on Seymour Avenue where three missing women were rescued. Ramsey helped Berry escape. Scott Shaw, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, via AP.

Latest revelations in Ohio captivity case

Robin Webb, USA TODAY8:03 p.m. EDT May 8, 2013

Cleveland homeowner Ariel Castro charged with kidnapping and rape, but two brothers not charged.

Ariel Castro, the man who owned the Cleveland home where three women escaped this week after nearly a decade of captivity, was charged with four counts of kidnapping and three counts of rape.

The kidnapping charges include the 6-year-old daughter of Amanda Berry, who was conceived and born in the house on the city’s west side. DNA tests are being conducted to determine the child’s father.

Castro will be arraigned Thursday morning.

His two brothers, Pedro and Onil, will not be charged. Cleveland prosecutor Victor Perez said there was no evidence they were involved in the crime or had any knowledge of it.

No other victims are expected from the case.

Other revelations:

• Berry and Gina DeJesus were welcomed back to their family homes. The third victim, Michelle Knight, remained hospitalized Wednesday.

• Berry was reunited with relatives at her sister’s home in Cleveland. Her sister, Beth Serrano, made a brief statement thanking the public for their support and requesting privacy so that Berry can “heal” and “recover.”

• DeJesus hid her face with a hoodie and gave a thumbs-up sign as she arrived home.

• DeJesus reportedly told investigators she was abducted when she accepted a ride home from school, according to NBC News.

• DeJesus is in “good sprits,” according to a CNN interview with a family member.

• DeJesus was a friend of Ariel Castro’s daughter as a young teen, WKYC-TV reports.

• Ariel Castro helped search for DeJesus when she went missing, and Castro was friends with the girl’s father, Khalid Samad, a friend of the DeJesus family, told the Associated Press. Samad also said Castro helped pass out missing-persons fliers.

• AP reported that Castro also comforted DeJesus’ mother at a candlelight vigil for her missing daughter.

• Victims’ family members told CNN that survivor Michelle Knight, the longest held captive, was “malnourished and weak.”

• Metro Health Hospital spokeswoman Tina Shaerban-Arundel confirmed Knight was still hospitalized Wedneday, in good condition.

• Cleveland Safety Director Martin Flask said no human remains had been found at the site where Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight escaped. Authorities had been drawn to disturbed soil in the yard — and previously told WKYC-TV that the three women were forced to have sex with their captors, that the pregnant women were beaten and that the babies didn’t survive.

• One victim reportedly suffered up to three miscarriages because she was so malnourished, according to Cleveland’s WEWS-TV.

• One of the brothers is believed to have fathered the 6-year-old girl found at the home with Berry, now 27, according to Deputy Police Chief Ed Tomba. DNA tests are being conducted to verify paternity.

• Berry give birth in an inflatable swimming pool inside the house, police told The Plain Dealer. The girl’s name is Jocelyn.

STORY: Disturbing tale of Cleveland captivity

• WKYC-TV reports Berry’s family is “excited” to meet their grandchild and is eager to “embrace Berry’s daughter as their own.”

• Police sources said the 6-year-old-girl was occasionally taken out of the house and would visit suspect Ariel Castro’s mother, Lillian Rodriguez, whom she called “grandmother.”

• The women were restrained by ropes and chains and occasionally had been allowed into the backyard, Police Chief Michael McGrath said.

• WKYC-TV spoke with Ariel Castro’s son, who said his father was “secretive” and that there were padlocks on doors to the attic, basement and garage in his father’s home. Castro’s son said he was not close to his father.

• Investigators are talking with relatives of at least one other missing woman from the neighborhood, AP reported. Ashley Summers, a 14-year-old girl, disappeared in 2007 near the house where Castro lives.

• McGrath told NBC’s Today show that the physical condition of the three women was “very good considering the circumstances” and the women were allowed in the backyard of the suspect’s home “once in a while.”

• McGrath said police did everything they could to find the women since they went missing, denying claims by neighbors that officers had been called to the house for suspicious circumstances from time to time in the past 10 years.

• Cleveland neighbor Israel Lugo said that other neighbors had seen women crawling on all fours behind Castro’s house, and that the men were controlling the women, according to the U.K.’s Daily Mail Online.

• Suspect Ariel Castro speaks both English and Spanish. Brothers Pedro and Onil Castro speak only Spanish, according to WKYC-TV.

• FBI Special Agent Vicki Anderson told ABC-TV that the three woman “had a bond, that they had been through this together.”

Ariel Castro On Facebook.

Ariel Castro shared a status.

Thursday, May 2 at 10:58pm

miracles really do happen, God is good

Ariel Castro shared Mark Vinciguerra‘s photo.

Wednesday, May 1 at 11:40pm

I know “quality” when i see it, very nice.

Ariel Castro

Thursday, April 11 at 12:31pm

Congrats to my Rosie Arlene. Wishing you a fast recovery.
She gave birth to a wonderful baby boy. That makes me Gramps for the fifth time, (2boys 1girl 2boys. Luv you guys!

Ariel Castro shared Paul Short‘s photo.

Monday, April 22 at 7:02pm

True that

This is absolutely amazing.

I rather look at Mr. Castro this way………

A Cleveland Police Department photograph of Ariel Castro. Cleveland Police Department via AP

michelle_obama_2016_bumper_sticker__349891

Filed under: Abortion Rights, Abuse/Domestic Violence/VAWA, Amber Alert, Bad News, Bullying, Causes, Celebrity, Court Room/Legal, Crime, Disaster, Domestic Violence, Drugs, Education, Information & Links, Missing Children, Missing Person, News, Photographs, Stories, Women's Causes, World News | Tagged: Abuse/Domestic Violence/VAWA, Amanda Berry, Ariel Castro, Bad News, bullying, Causes, Cleveland, Court Room/Legal, Crime, Disaster, Domestic violence, Education, Facebook, Gina DeJesus, Information & Links, May 8 2013, Michelle Knight, Missing children, Missing Person, News, Onil, Photographs, Stories, WOIO, Women's Causes, World News Tagged: | Amanda Berry | 4 Comments »

President Barack Hussein Obama Visit The Planned Parenthood Conference

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Jueseppi B.

By Jueseppi B

April 26, 2013

Remarks by the President at the Planned Parenthood Conference

Megan Slack

April 26, 2013
02:37 PM EDT

Today, President Obama spoke at the Planned Parenthood Conference in Washington, DC, reaffirming the core principle that has guided the organization for nearly a century: that women should be allowed to make their own decisions about their own health.

President Obama thanked the doctors, nurses, advocates and staff who work tirelessly to keep the doors open for the millions of women who depend on the health services Planned Parenthood offers.

Somewhere there’s a woman who just received a new lease on life because of a screening that you provided that helped catch her cancer in time. Somewhere there’s a woman who’s breathing easier today because of the support and counseling she got at her local Planned Parenthood health clinic. Somewhere there’s a young woman starting a career who, because of you, is able to decide for herself when she wants to start a family.

“One in five women in this country has turned to Planned Parenthood for health care,” he said. “And for many, Planned Parenthood is their primary source of health care — not just for contraceptive care, but for lifesaving preventive care, like cancer screenings and health counseling.”

When politicians threaten to cut funding for Planned Parenthood, they’re “talking about shutting those women out at a time when they may need it most — shutting off communities that need more health care options for women, not less.”

“After decades of progress, there’s still those who want to turn back the clock to policies more suited to the 1950s than the 21st century,” he said. “And they’ve been involved in an orchestrated and historic effort to roll back basic rights when it comes to women’s health.”

When you read about some of these laws, you want to check the calendar; you want to make sure you’re still living in 2013.

Forty years after the Supreme Court affirmed a woman’s constitutional right to privacy, including the right to choose, we shouldn’t have to remind people that when it comes to a woman’s health, no politician should get to decide what’s best for you. No insurer should get to decide what kind of care that you get. The only person who should get to make decisions about your health is you.