Tag: trafficking

In 2003, SWOP-USA founders Stacey Swimme and Robyn Few teamed up with Dr. Annie Sprinkle to mark December 17 “International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.” Prompted by the heinous murders of sex workers by the Green River Killer, they decided December 17 should be commemorated annually to mourn sex workers lost to violence and call attention to hate crimes and violence committed against sex workers.

Dr. Sprinkle wrote, “Violent crimes against sex workers go underreported, unaddressed and unpunished. There really are people who don't care when prostitutes are victims of hate crimes, beaten, raped, and murdered. No matter what you think about sex workers and the politics surrounding them, sex workers are a part of our neighborhoods, communities and families.”

For 21 years, sex workers and their communities have come together on December 17 to honor the lives of those lost to violence while also celebrating the resilience and brilliance of sex workers worldwide. Following is a compilation of events happening across the country in honor of International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.

New York

Decriminalize Sex Work, in collaboration with Red Canary Song, Equality New York, Soar Institute, GLITS, Bridges 4 Life, Trans Equity, and New York Transgender Advocacy Group, is hosting an event for sex workers and advocates at McCarren Parkhouse (855 Lorimer Street) on December 17 from 9pm-12am.

California

Lotus Lain and Ashley Manta are hosting an evening of connection, empowerment, and advocacy in honor of D17 on December 12 from 7pm-9pm at 439 North Fairfax Ave in West Hollywood.

SWOP LA and SWANS are hosting a supply drive to support their monthly strolls for street based SWers and care packs for abortion care. Donations can be dropped off to Cash Machine (3207 Glendale Blvd) from 1-5pm December 15-17 and Heavy Manners Library (1200 N Alvarado St) 11am-7pm December 13-16. Find their wishlist of supplies on Instagram @swopla and @swoplaswans.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas Red Umbrella Collective is hosting a free self defense class for sex workers on December 17 at 6:30pm. Email [email protected] to RSVP.

Miami

Decrim 305 is hosting their 5th annual Slut Walk in Miami on December 14 at 5pm at South Pointe Park. More details and registration on Eventbrite.

Atlanta

Red Light District by TW!O is hosting a number of events on December 14 including a tree planting ceremony, rock garden party, luncheon, and screening at South Bend Park. This event is open to all advocates and free tickets can be reserved on Eventbrite.

Red Light District by TW!O is also hosting a day of healing exclusively for sex workers on December 17 from 6-8pm. DM them on Instagram @redlightdistrictbytwo to register.

Washington, D.C.

SWAC DC is hosting an Art Showcase fundraiser at the Human Rights Campaign (1640 Rhode Island Ave NW) on December 17 from 5-8pm.

Texas

SWEET ATX is hosting a sex worker wellness day on December 15 from 4-8pm in Austin, TX exclusively for sex workers. To register DM @sweet_atx on Instagram.

Minnesota

SWOP MPLS is hosting a candlelight vigil on December 17 at 7pm at 2110 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis. This event is open to sex workers, allies, and advocates and they ask that you please bring flowers.

Oregon

OSWC Committee is hosting a community care day on Sunday December 15 from 11am-3pm including esthetician services, a tattoo artist, a tarot reader, and clothing swap. DM @oswcgroup on Instagram or email [email protected] for more information.

Virtual

Trans Equity’s Victoria Von Blaque is hosting a conversation with Ze R., Lexii Foxx, Eli Daniel, and J Leigh Oshiro-Brantly on December 17 at 4:30EST. You can register at tinyurl.com/IDEVASW24

The Erotic Laborers Alliance of New England is hosting a virtual vigil on December 17 at noon EST. Email [email protected] for details.

Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) Staff Attorney Becca Cleary is leading her second class for the Woodhull Freedom Foundation’s virtual peer academy, Spokes Hub. The course, titled Legislative Advocacy 101, will delve into the fundamentals of state-level policy advocacy. Topics include how state legislatures operate, strategies for passing bills, tracking legislation, accessing legislative documents, and participating effectively in the legislative process as an advocate.

Participants will also learn tips for crafting compelling written and verbal testimony and navigating bill hearings, including strategies for protecting their privacy and safety in the public record. The session will conclude with a Q&A, where Cleary will address attendees’ specific questions and explore the nuances of legislative processes in the states in which they work specifically.

The class is open to people with lived experiences in the sex industry and will be hosted on January 7 from 3:00-4:30pm EST. For more information on how to register go to https://www.woodhullfoundation.org/spokes-hub/ or follow Woodhull on Instagram at @woodhullfreedom.

World AIDS Day is a time to remember and honor the more than 32 million people who have died worldwide from AIDS-related illnesses and renew our commitment to ending the HIV epidemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that with a human rights-based approach, the world can bring an end to the public health threats posed by AIDS by 2030. The WHO — along with numerous other public health agencies, including UNAIDS, and the Global Commission on HIV and the Law — support the decriminalization of consensual adult sex work as an essential step in the global fight against HIV, AIDS, and other STIs. Research shows the decriminalization of sex work would reduce HIV transmissions by 33-46% worldwide.

Lawmakers and proponents of criminalization tout repressive laws on prostitution and HIV as critical to reducing the spread of infection; however, public health research has conclusively demonstrated that criminalization and policing practices greatly impede sex workers’ ability to protect themselves and their clients from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. Where sex work is criminalized, sex workers have less agency and are more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as having unprotected sex.

According to the ACLU, “Research indicates that certain police practices related to enforcement of sex work criminalization may put sex workers (and their clients) at greater health risk. Interviews with sex workers in Sacramento Valley, California revealed that the threat and incidence of detention increased if sex workers had condoms in their possession. Some sex workers in a New York City study reported that police confiscated or destroyed their condoms, even outside the context of arrests. A number of these workers stated they carry fewer condoms due to their fear of arrest, but several indicated that this did not deter them from their commitment to practicing safer sex.”

In addition to criminalization, the stigma associated with sex work can make it difficult for sex workers to obtain adequate sexual and reproductive health services. Sex workers often face discrimination by medical health professionals who may choose to condemn them for their choice to engage in sex work instead of simply providing them with the medical care they seek. The United Nations Reproductive Health and Rights Agency (UNFPA) found that nearly 1 in 4 sex workers have been denied health care because of their occupation. It is imperative that sex workers are able to seek regular testing and routine care without worrying about being shamed or, worse, denied services for how they earn their income. Both the CDC and the American Sexual Health Organization (ASHA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  recommend regular testing for STIs as the most important measure to both treat and prevent STIs as many have no symptoms.

Nationally, Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) advocates for expanding Patients’ Bills of Rights and similar protections to ensure that patients cannot be denied care based on their source of income, source of payment, or profession. Not only will this ensure that patients cannot be discriminated against, but it will also help erode stigma in healthcare settings and ensure that sex workers feel that they can safely seek healthcare services. DSW was recently successful in advocating for the passage of these expanded protections in Rhode Island.

“To protect sex workers’ health, leaders need to accelerate action to tackle the stigma, discrimination and violence that sex workers face. This will require decriminalization. The evidence is clear: punitive laws hurt sex workers and need to be removed,” said Christine Stegling, Deputy Executive Director, UNAIDS.

Sex workers and their allies are celebrating a groundbreaking law in Belgium that grants employment protections and benefits to sex workers. Belgium became the first European country to decriminalize sex work in 2022, but it was not until May 2024, with the passage of this new legislation, that sex workers were granted the same protections as other laborers. The new law went into effect December 1 and made headlines around the world.

Since the decriminalization of consensual adult sex work in 2022, sex workers have been able to live without the fear of arrest and be candid about how they earn their income, such as listing their occupation on bank loan applications or applying for benefits if unable to work. However, they were still excluded from the benefits and protections associated with formal labor contracts. A formal contract provides employees with access to social security, unemployment benefits, health insurance, family benefits, vacation, and maternity leave. It also grants critical protections against job-related risks and imposes obligations on employers. The new law also grants sex workers specific rights tailored to their profession.

Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) was proud to participate in the second bi-annual New England Sex Work Summit (NESWS) in Burlington, VT. It was hosted by New England sex work advocacy group The Ishtar Collective, in partnership with Pride Center of Vermont and Vermont CARES. According to The Ishtar Collective, the NESWS’s goal was to bring together “sex workers and their allies for a weekend of networking, learning, and celebrating.”

The summit featured allyship building and policy discussions, a performance of Kaytlin Bailey’s “Whore’s Eye View,” free testing for sexually transmitted infections, vaccination clinics, a free store, and even a dance party. 150 sex workers and allies, some from as far away as Hawaii, came to learn and present. On Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR), The Ishtar Collective and Pride Center of Vermont hosted an open mic event and brunch. Meals throughout the summit were generously provided by the People’s Kitchen in Burlington.

DSW members in attendance included Staff Attorney Becca Cleary and Chief Advocacy Coordinator Henri Bynx, who is co-director and co-founder of The Ishtar Collective. Cleary participated in a panel discussion focused on the role that incremental state and local policies play in the health and safety of sex workers and a preview of upcoming legislative efforts.

New England Sex Work Summit Partner Organizations:

https://www.pridecentervt.org/

https://vtcares.org/

https://oldprosonline.org/

https://www.facebook.com/peopleskitchenvt/