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Today is International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, and we collectively remember the sex workers killed. We recognise violence such as robbery, rape, assault, and exploitation amongst us. All of which is fuelled by stigma, criminalisation & attitudes towards us.
Collectively, sex workers stand under the red umbrella, a symbol of unification. Our struggles are not individual, and internationally, sex workers continue to be ignored, spoken over, sacked from their jobs, refused access to health, justice or housing.
Today, we must remember the sex workers taken from us by suicide, drug overdoses, isolation & exclusion, poverty, homelessness, hunger, and simply those who were trying to survive but were failed by others.
I stand with both black and trans sex workers who disproportionately face high levels of violence, and are victims of hate crime due to their gender or race. Some of whom felt the streets were the only place that accepted them, and they learnt to survive.
The world over, our rights are infringed upon. Governments continue to legislate against us, passing policies which directly or indirectly harm us, and then ignore us when we speak up. They lock us up, infantalise us and ensure we are kept down.
As I commiserate with my fellow whores, I am reminded of the times where it was almost my name read out; the violent situations I somehow escaped; the fear I felt and being so alone; the personal violence I have experienced; the mutual aid support;
Helping my friends because they had nobody else; the vicarious trauma; the worry you feel when your working mate hasn't returned; being disowned by your own family; the men who pushed me down; the removed condoms and overall, the fucking fear you feel and the courage you need.
Be an ally of sex workers - let us speak for ourselves, platform black & trans sex workers, donate to our mutual aid funds and projects, challenge language and stigma, tip a sex worker, break down the economic and structural failures that results in survival sex work.
Above all, do not support the Nordic Model as it harms all sex workers. I'd likely be dead if it was in place when I was a homeless, drug using sex worker because I wouldn't have been able to refuse jobs - meaning I have less leverage and will say yes to things I don't want to.
Clients will refuse to give information in fear of being arrested. This means I cant screen them or ask questions, and I will have to just accept that. There's no point reporting if I have no information.
Clients take advantage of less demand as they know you're desperate.
Clients take advantage of less demand as they know you're desperate.
No active working sex worker supports the Nordic Model, and you shouldn't either if you support sex workers or care about our safety.
Listen to us and what we need.
Listen to us and what we need.
In solidarity with sex workers around the world today, who will all be mourning those they have loved & lost, worked with, supported or known. Look after yourselves.
Rest in Power x
Rest in Power x
