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  Scarlet Alliance - video EVERY HO I KNOW SAYS SO

  Posted: December 20th, 2010, 5:12am PST

  Scarlet Alliance in Australia releases this great video in support of sex workers and their lovers. Listen and learn!

  EVERY HO I KNOW SAYS SO is a response to the total lack of accessible online resources for people looking for advice on how to be a good date or lover or partner to a sex worker. We want to support our lovers to continue unlearning the internalized stigma against sex workers, especially in intimate relationships. We think that sex workers themselves have valuable advice and direction to give to people who get into intimate relationships with us. This is the direct message we want to give to our lovers: "We hope that this video is useful to you in your journey to becoming a sex worker-positive and supportive lover and person in the community!!! By continuing to work on your attitudes about our work and educating yourself, you are showing us that you care. We love you!"

• 

  Scarlet Alliance - video EVERY HO I KNOW SAYS SO

  Posted: December 20th, 2010, 5:12am PST

  Scarlet Alliance in Australia releases this great video in support of sex workers and their lovers. Listen and learn!

  EVERY HO I KNOW SAYS SO is a response to the total lack of accessible online resources for people looking for advice on how to be a good date or lover or partner to a sex worker. We want to support our lovers to continue unlearning the internalized stigma against sex workers, especially in intimate relationships. We think that sex workers themselves have valuable advice and direction to give to people who get into intimate relationships with us. This is the direct message we want to give to our lovers: "We hope that this video is useful to you in your journey to becoming a sex worker-positive and supportive lover and person in the community!!! By continuing to work on your attitudes about our work and educating yourself, you are showing us that you care. We love you!"

• 

  Mama Cash - Out From Under online exhibition

  Posted: December 20th, 2010, 5:06am PST

  

   

   

   

  Mama Cash's online exhibit 'Out from Under' showcases issues, voices, stories, and perspectives from the global sex workers’ human rights movement.

  Sex workers are severely stigmatised as workers and human beings. Since the early 1970s, determined and courageous sex workers have been collectively organising in spite of the sometimes extreme consequences they face for speaking out.

  Why are sex workers' rights a priority for Mama Cash?

  Our grantees are self-organised groups and networks of sex workers globally.
  We currently prioritise sex worker groups and networks working on these issues:

  • sex worker labour rights;
  • ending violence against sex workers such as police brutality and extortion;
  • securing basic health and other social services, including contraception and HIV/AIDS testing and treatment;
  • access to social security and other work-related entitlements;
  • reducing the stigmatisation that leads to violence and discrimination; and
  • pushing to make feminist and women's rights more inclusive of the voices and agendas of sex workers.
• 

  Mama Cash - Out From Under online exhibition

  Posted: December 20th, 2010, 5:06am PST

  

   

   

   

  Mama Cash's online exhibit 'Out from Under' showcases issues, voices, stories, and perspectives from the global sex workers’ human rights movement.

  Sex workers are severely stigmatised as workers and human beings. Since the early 1970s, determined and courageous sex workers have been collectively organising in spite of the sometimes extreme consequences they face for speaking out.

  Why are sex workers' rights a priority for Mama Cash?

  Our grantees are self-organised groups and networks of sex workers globally.
  We currently prioritise sex worker groups and networks working on these issues:

  • sex worker labour rights;
  • ending violence against sex workers such as police brutality and extortion;
  • securing basic health and other social services, including contraception and HIV/AIDS testing and treatment;
  • access to social security and other work-related entitlements;
  • reducing the stigmatisation that leads to violence and discrimination; and
  • pushing to make feminist and women's rights more inclusive of the voices and agendas of sex workers.
• 

  Articles in the media highlighting 17 December

  Posted: December 17th, 2010, 5:16am PST

  17 December and Red umbrellas come to Bosnia and Herzegovina!

  Bosnian news reports on an action held by UG Proi in Bosnia and Herzegovina promoting and marking 17th of December on a highway which is known as sex working area. The statements and the message is good and respectful.

  "17th December, PROI Association organized a campaign called "STOP: Violence is not the job description sex workers". The objective of action is to draw attention to the presence of sex work and violence against persons who provide sexual services. In this way, first in Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against sex workers." (translation from UG Proi website).

   

  On the website of PONY New York you will find links to more news about 17 December actions for this year.

  

  Chi Mgbako
  Posted: December 14, 2010 11:08 PM

  Honoring the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

   

  

  Audacia Ray
  Posted: 15 December 2010 15.10 GMT

  It is not just violent clients who hurt sex workers

  In Uganda and many other countries, they are denied access to HIV treatment, stigmatised by authorities and brutalised by police...

  

  jodi sh doff

  Posted: Dec 15, 2010

  International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

  The names of 60 sex workers who were murdered in 2010 will be read aloud at candlelight vigils across the world on Friday.

  “Their words are killing us”: Violent language of anti-sex work groups Posted by Lori | Published: December 17, 2010

  

  Today marks the 7th annual International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.

  To mark this important day, we’re featuring this guest post on the impact of violent language of anti-sex work groups by Calum Bennachie & Jan Marie. The article was excerpted from “Research for Sex Work 12”

  Written by Calum Bennachie & Jan Marie

  When most people discuss violence against sex workers, they talk about the physical violence that they perceive sex workers are exposed to by clients, by authorities, and by others. However, violence takes many forms, and what is often omitted from discussions of violence against sex workers is the verbal violence of anti-sex work groups. The language they use reflects not merely a dislike of sex work, but a hatred of sex workers...

  Article published on Gatvol a South African website.

  [www.gatvol.co.za] title="Gatvol site article">Hate Crimes Against Prostitutes Prevelent

• 

  Articles in the media highlighting 17 December

  Posted: December 17th, 2010, 5:16am PST

  17 December and Red umbrellas come to Bosnia and Herzegovina!

  Bosnian news reports on an action held by UG Proi in Bosnia and Herzegovina promoting and marking 17th of December on a highway which is known as sex working area. The statements and the message is good and respectful.

  "17th December, PROI Association organized a campaign called "STOP: Violence is not the job description sex workers". The objective of action is to draw attention to the presence of sex work and violence against persons who provide sexual services. In this way, first in Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against sex workers." (translation from UG Proi website).

   

  On the website of PONY New York you will find links to more news about 17 December actions for this year.

  

  Chi Mgbako
  Posted: December 14, 2010 11:08 PM

  Honoring the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

   

  

  Audacia Ray
  Posted: 15 December 2010 15.10 GMT

  It is not just violent clients who hurt sex workers

  In Uganda and many other countries, they are denied access to HIV treatment, stigmatised by authorities and brutalised by police...

  

  jodi sh doff

  Posted: Dec 15, 2010

  International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

  The names of 60 sex workers who were murdered in 2010 will be read aloud at candlelight vigils across the world on Friday.

  “Their words are killing us”: Violent language of anti-sex work groups Posted by Lori | Published: December 17, 2010

  

  Today marks the 7th annual International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.

  To mark this important day, we’re featuring this guest post on the impact of violent language of anti-sex work groups by Calum Bennachie & Jan Marie. The article was excerpted from “Research for Sex Work 12”

  Written by Calum Bennachie & Jan Marie

  When most people discuss violence against sex workers, they talk about the physical violence that they perceive sex workers are exposed to by clients, by authorities, and by others. However, violence takes many forms, and what is often omitted from discussions of violence against sex workers is the verbal violence of anti-sex work groups. The language they use reflects not merely a dislike of sex work, but a hatred of sex workers...

  Article published on Gatvol a South African website.

  [http] title="Gatvol site article">Hate Crimes Against Prostitutes Prevelent

• 

  UK - Vigil in Bradford organised by the IUSW

  Posted: December 17th, 2010, 4:36am PST

  For non UK residents: Bradford was the site of our most recent (known) multiple killer; Stephen Griffiths (the "Crossbow Cannibal") will shortly stand trial for the murders of Suzanne Blamires, Susan Rushworth and Shelley Armitage, and possibly other women too.

  Remembering our friends and colleagues

  17 December 2010
  vigil 5-6pm
  at the bottom of Ivegate
  opposite Centenary Square, Bradford

  
  Please come and join us in solidarity, for some or all of the time. Feel free to call for more information: 07772 638748.

  People who sell sex, particularly women, are seen as targets for violence, whether “it’s just part of the job”, “it doesn’t matter, she’s only a whore” or by those who define all our experience in prostitution as violence.

  International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers was created by sex workers as a way to speak out against those who would silence us, whether by direct violence, the violence of the state, which criminalises us when we work together (any building used by more than one sex worker can be raided as a brothel), or those who would rather speak for or about us than listen to us.

  This day has been marked by sex workers to commemorate the harms done to our community since 2003, in reaction to the comments of the “Green River Killer” who murdered at least 71 women. “I picked prostitutes as victims because they were easy to pick up without being noticed. I knew they would not be reported missing right away and might never be reported missing … I thought I could kill as many of them as I wanted without getting caught."

  In fact, it is possible to target violence against sex workers: all it takes is the political will. In Liverpool, crime against sex workers is treated as hate crime: there is a 68% detection rate for rapes committed against street sex workers and 90% of violent cases that went to court resulted in convictions.

  The International Union of Sex Workers, which called this vigil, campaigns for the “Merseyside model” to be adopted nationwide, and for policies that give people in the sex industry the full protection of the law. We challenge the social exclusion of people who sell sex by demanding that those most affected are involved in decisions about policy.

  We campaign for freedom to choose and respect for those choices, including the absolute right to say no, for everyone in the sex industry, whether they are there by choice, circumstance or coercion.

  Look for the red umbrellas and candles.

• 

  UK - Vigil in Bradford organised by the IUSW

  Posted: December 17th, 2010, 4:36am PST

  For non UK residents: Bradford was the site of our most recent (known) multiple killer; Stephen Griffiths (the "Crossbow Cannibal") will shortly stand trial for the murders of Suzanne Blamires, Susan Rushworth and Shelley Armitage, and possibly other women too.

  Remembering our friends and colleagues

  17 December 2010
  vigil 5-6pm
  at the bottom of Ivegate
  opposite Centenary Square, Bradford

  
  Please come and join us in solidarity, for some or all of the time. Feel free to call for more information: 07772 638748.

  People who sell sex, particularly women, are seen as targets for violence, whether “it’s just part of the job”, “it doesn’t matter, she’s only a whore” or by those who define all our experience in prostitution as violence.

  International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers was created by sex workers as a way to speak out against those who would silence us, whether by direct violence, the violence of the state, which criminalises us when we work together (any building used by more than one sex worker can be raided as a brothel), or those who would rather speak for or about us than listen to us.

  This day has been marked by sex workers to commemorate the harms done to our community since 2003, in reaction to the comments of the “Green River Killer” who murdered at least 71 women. “I picked prostitutes as victims because they were easy to pick up without being noticed. I knew they would not be reported missing right away and might never be reported missing … I thought I could kill as many of them as I wanted without getting caught."

  In fact, it is possible to target violence against sex workers: all it takes is the political will. In Liverpool, crime against sex workers is treated as hate crime: there is a 68% detection rate for rapes committed against street sex workers and 90% of violent cases that went to court resulted in convictions.

  The International Union of Sex Workers, which called this vigil, campaigns for the “Merseyside model” to be adopted nationwide, and for policies that give people in the sex industry the full protection of the law. We challenge the social exclusion of people who sell sex by demanding that those most affected are involved in decisions about policy.

  We campaign for freedom to choose and respect for those choices, including the absolute right to say no, for everyone in the sex industry, whether they are there by choice, circumstance or coercion.

  Look for the red umbrellas and candles.

• 

  My name is Laura and I am an independent escort

  Posted: December 17th, 2010, 4:21am PST

  Laura writes a letter objecting to a private member bill proposing to criminalise clients in Scotland.

  A letter to Holyrood

  13 December, 2010 by Laura Lee

  Dear Sirs,

  I write to voice my objection to the proposed changes to the law in relation to the purchase of sex in Scotland, ie : the private member’s bill being proposed by Trish Godman. My name is Laura and I am an independent escort. I am not pimped, coerced or working under duress in any way. I am not labouring under any addiction, nor am I the product of an abusive background. I have been a sex worker for some 16 years and it’s fair to say I love my job.

  The first part of Trish Godman’s opening statement makes for interesting reading ;

  “People who buy sex do so of their own free will, whereas the majority of prostitutes are unwilling participants in this exchange of cash for sex.”

  Of what “majority” does she speak, exactly ? Over the years I have met women working at every level of the sex industry and in fact, it has been my experience that the vast majority of those women are happy in their work. Sure, there are days we dislike, the same as every other job, but the only women I have ever encountered who are truly unhappy are those who are drug addicted, or trapped through fear. This proposed legislative change does not take the above into account in any way, it seeks to prohibit the purchase of sex regardless of any circumstances.

  "I submit that the correct approach is to look at reducing harm to sex workers by taking the stigma and the social exclusion away from the sex industry, so that both sex workers and clients can feel able to come forward and voice any concerns that they may have to the authorities."

  Read the full article on Harlot's Parlour

• 

  UK - UKNSWP urges Merseyside Police to address violence against sex workers and they respond!

  Posted: December 17th, 2010, 3:38am PST

  UKNSWP sent a letter to Merseyside Police earlier in the week raising awareness re 17th December, applauding them on their work addressing violence against sex workers and asking if the Chief would reinforce their position. The good news is the Chief Constable i.e. head of police force in Merseyside has made a statement on their website!! Here it is.

  Merseyside Police supports 'International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers'

  The 17th December, 2010 marks the 'International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers'. In particular on this day, we remember men and women who have been lost through violence and our thoughts are with their families.

  Merseyside Police is currently investigating five unsolved murders of sex workers and these women will not be forgotten and the crimes against them are still being investigated.

  In 2006, Merseyside Police was the first police force in the country to treat crimes against sex workers as 'hate crime'.

  Since then we have continued to work with support networks both nationally and locally, in particular with the 'UK Network of Sex Work Projects' and with outreach staff and the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor from Armistead (Street) to build trust and confidence amongst members of that community.

  Read the full article here.

• 

  SWAN issues a 17 December Press Release and Sex Workers in Ukraine need your support!

  Posted: December 17th, 2010, 2:23am PST

  RIGHTS GROUPS DENOUNCE ABUSE AND DISCRIMINATION OF SEX WORKERS

  Budapest, Hungary, December 17, 2010

  On December 17, organizations and groups supporting human rights for sex workers will hold various events to bring public attention to the issues of violence and injustice towards sex workers and their families in Albania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine.

  International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers aims to raise awareness of the violence and abuse perpetrated on sex workers, while remembering those who have been its victims. At the same time, this is the day for unity among sex workers and their allies all over the world to show the strength and determination to end abuse and ensure equal rights for sex workers.

  SWAN asks all allies – individuals and organizations – to support the petition of Ukrainian sex workers’ rights organization Ukrainian League Legalife addressing the President to repeal the article 181, Part 1 of the Administrative Code of Ukraine. While rendering sex work an administrative offense, this law has opened the door to physical and sexual abuse, blackmail and harassment by law enforcement officers and drove sex workers underground and away from any kind of protection. Such situation has put sex workers' to even greater risk of violence and HIV infection.

   

  To sign the Petition, please send your Name, Organization, City and Country to the local SWAN member or to SWAN coordinator at swan@swannet.org or fill in online at http://www.petitiononline.com/ukrswan/petition.html

  PETITION TO PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE

  TO: President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych

  Copies:
  Prime Minister of Ukraine, Mykola Azarov
  Ombudswoman of the Parliament of Ukraine, Nina Karpachova
  Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Anatoliy Mogyliov
  Minister of Health, Zynoviy Mytnyk

  Dear Mr. President!

  We, the representatives of the charitable organization "Ukrainian League" Legalife" and other Ukrainian and international organizations working in the sphere of HIV/AIDS prevention consider our civic duty to draw your attention to the following matter.

  In 2010 in Ukraine, sexual transmission of HIV has become dominant among other ways of HIV/AIDS infection, exceeding in number the “traditional” way of infecting through blood. According to the Ukrainian Center for HIV/AIDS Prevention, in 2009 there were more than 12 000 cases of sexual transmission of HIV. Obviously, today the main efforts of the state and public organizations working in the sphere of public health have to be primarily targeted at preventing the spread of HIV through sexual contacts.

  However, we must admit that today the most vulnerable social groups to HIV infection not only have a very limited access to prevention and treatment of this and other socially dangerous diseases, but also constantly suffer from harassment and violation of their personal rights by the law-enforcement officers. These are the women who provide sexual services (according to the international terminology - "commercial sex workers").

  From our organization’s practical experience in providing social assistance to sex workers, and according to many witness testimonies, we can declare of the systematic and massive character of violations of human rights of sex workers in Ukraine.

• 

  NSWP 17 December launch of Research for Sex Workers and a brand new website!

  Posted: December 17th, 2010, 1:49am PST

  You have to read this!

  The criminalisation of sex work increases the vulnerability of sex workers to human rights violations and violence. However, sex workers are raising awareness, working with policy makers, and organizing against this violence, as the following examples from Research for Sex Work show:

  - In Central Eastern Europe and Central Asia, a survey of 238 male, female, and transgender sex workers conducted by the Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN) found that 42 percent of sex workers in the region reported having experienced physical violence by the police and 36 percent had experienced sexual violence.

  - Since 2006, police in Liverpool, UK have agreed a policy in which all crimes against sex workers are treated as hate crimes and have appointed a sex work liaison officer.

  - Though recently institutional violence in Cambodia has gotten a lot of attention, violence committed against sex workers by intimate partners is also a major problem. The Cambodian Prostitute Union provides education to sex workers and their abusive partners about the domestic violence law as well as counseling, support, and service referrals for sex workers.

  - The Aboriginal Sex Workers Education and Outreach Project in Canada was founded in 2008 to focus on the needs of Aboriginal street-based sex workers, who experience high rates of violence and HIV infection. Indigenous women are infected with HIV at nearly twice the rate as women in the general population. (quoted from nswp.org)

  This issue is bilingual (English Russian) and available for download from nswp.org.
  hard copies may also be ordered from the NSWP

   

  Check out the new NSWP website!

  Promoting Health and Human Rights
  NSWP exists to uphold the voice of sex workers globally and connect regional networks advocating for the rights of female, male, and transgender sex workers.

• 

  Kazakhstan - Poem for 17 December

  Posted: December 16th, 2010, 7:26am PST

  

  This poem was written in Russian and translated to english. It was written by a sex worker from Kazakhstan during a workshop held in Ohrid, Macedonia in 2009. You can find this and other writings by sex workers in the SWAN SW Community newsletter: You Are Not Alone, Together We Are Stronger. 18 sex workers developed these posters, poems the articles in their own languages. Read it. Enjoy it. And remember that YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

• 

  Hungary - 17 December poem from a sex worker

  Posted: December 16th, 2010, 7:10am PST

  
  

  This poem was written by Mariann during a workshop held in Ohrid, Macedonia in 2009. You can find this and other writings by sex workers in the SWAN SW Community newsletter: You Are Not Alone, Together We Are Stronger It is a unique and exclusive issue of a community newsletter, the result of an international sex workers’ rights advocacy training in Ohrid, Macedonia, 2009. 18 sex workers developed these posters, poems the articles in their own languages. Read it. Enjoy it. And remember that YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

• 

  Austria - Press Release (DE) 17 December

  Posted: December 16th, 2010, 6:47am PST

  

   

   

• 

  International - listing of events for 17 December 2010

  Posted: December 15th, 2010, 11:49am PST

  North America

  SWOP USA is also updating its 17 December website as news comes in about 17 December events. Some highlights to date:

  Events are planned in 13 cities across the USA -

  SWOP Chicago is hosting a community forum entitled "Sex Workers Speak Out: The Truth About The Negative Effects of Anti-Prostitution Laws". Sex Workers and community leaders will gather for an open discussion on the long term effects of End Demand and enforcement of prostitution laws in Chicago. The evening will close with a video screening and candlelight vigil in remembrance of sex worker victims of violence in the past year.

  A coalition of organisations in New York, NY are gathering for a vigil and community speak out.

  Communities are holding marches, vigils, talks and performances.

  In Canada people will be gathering in 6 cities, including Halifax, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Toronto and Kingston.

  Visit the SWOP USA website for more details

  Asia-Pacific

  APNSW re-launches Bad Rehab to highlight the harms committed by the "rescue industry".

  Somaly Uh Uh- Extended remix of Bad Rehab from APNSW Films on Vimeo.

  Extended remix of Bad Rehab. A song and animated video about the real issues for sex workers who are forced into rehabilitation centres in South East Asia- and the anti-trafficking "rescue industry" that has sprung up and campaigns for laws and systems that restrict sex workers and promote further violence against them

  Kenya

  BHESP & KESWA Press Release
  
  International Day to End Violence against Sex Workers
  Nairobi, Kenya, December 13, 2010
  
  On Friday, December 17, from 9:00am-5:00pm, the Bar Hostess Empowerment and Support Program
  (BHESP), in collaboration with the Kenya Sex Workers Alliance (KESWA) and other local women’s rights
  and human rights organizations, will commemorate International Day to End Violence against Sex
  Workers. The gathering in Nairobi will include a silent public procession, starting at Koinange Street,
  and ending at the Sarakasi Dome, in Ngara, where the rest of the programme will be held. The event
  will include: a session to share the findings of recent research done on sex worker rights in Kenya;
  testimonies by sex workers who have experienced violence; edutainment in the form of theatre, music,
  dance, and spoken word; short speeches by various key human rights defenders; and a candle-light vigil
  to remember sex workers in Kenya who have lost their lives in the line of duty. All events are free and
  open to the press. The dress code for this day will be red (sex worker rights) and black (Africa).
  International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers aims to raise awareness of the violence and
  abuse perpetrated on sex workers, while remembering those who have been its victims. The goal is to
  see a global society where sex workers’ safety and basic human rights are protected. While this day is
  currently marked by over 100 cities around the world, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will be marking this
  day for the first time this year.
  
  Nairobi’s celebration will feature several prominent speakers from various organizations, touching on
  such related topics as human rights, sexual and reproductive health, security, law & policy reform, and
  the impact of the new Constitution on Kenya’s laws pertaining to sex work and human rights.
  When asked to comment on her reasons for organizing this event, Dorothy Ogutu, a sex worker activist,
  said:
  
  As the saying goes, sex work is the oldest profession, and yet it is the one industry that records the highest rate of violence and brutality. By marking this day, we are calling for an end to
  violence in a working community that has experienced and continues to experience so much of it. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Injustice anywhere, is injustice everywhere.”
  
  For more information, contact Dorothy Ogutu (KESWA), Peninah Mwangi (BHESP) or Zawadi Nyong’o at
  dec17kenya@gmail.com .

• 

  France - Toulous - Grisélidis holds 17 December Rally

  Posted: December 15th, 2010, 9:34am PST

  

  COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE
  
  Vendredi17 décembre
  Journée internationale de lutte contre les violences faites aux travailleuses du sexe
  
  Les violences à l’encontre des travailleuses du sexe sont multiples, d’ordre institutionnelles et sociales.
  En effet, tous les jours des travailleuses du sexe sont insultées, discriminées, harcelées, volées, violées, assassinées, arrêtées pour racolage ou pour défaut de papier, expulsées, incarcérées… Ces violences sont invisibilisées et trop souvent considérées comme des risques du métier !
  
  Nous souhaitons aujourd’hui attirer l’attention du grand public sur cette situation inadmissible et appelons à la solidarité de toutes et tous, pour le droit au respect, à la sécurité et à la justice des travailleuses du sexe !
  
  Cette année la journée est relayée dans le cadre d'un projet européen sur la prévention des violences dans le contexte de la prostitution. Des prostituées venues de toute la France et de Belgique se sont rassemblées pour échanger leurs stratégies face aux violences et pour exprimer leurs doléances dans un manifeste commun à l’attention du grand public et des politiques. Des actions auront lieu simultanément à Bruxelles, Lille, Lyon, Paris et Toulouse. A Toulouse, l’association Grisélidis vous invite a participer à un rassemblement, à la diffusion du « Putain de Manifeste » et à un coup de sifflet symbolique et simultané belgo-français.
  
  Considérées comme des criminelles, asociales, amorales, dangereuses, marginales, les travailleuses du sexe ne sont ni des victimes passives, ni des coupables ! Elles ont des ressources pour résister aux agressions qui leur sont faites et gèrent le risque de violence au quotidien. Elles sont capables de s’exprimer par et pour elles-mêmes, elles revendiquent :

  • Le retrait de la LSI et de toute forme de répression à leur égard
  • La régularisation des sans papièr-e-s
  • L’accès aux droits sociaux et fondamentaux

  CONFÉRENCE DE PRESSE
  10H30 – ASSOCIATION GRISÉLIDIS
  14 RUE LAFON - TOULOUSE
  
  RASSEMBLEMENT
  17H - PLACE DU CAPITOLE - TOULOUSE
  
  Contre la stigmatisation, les agressions et la répression : sifflons !

• 

  Italy - Trieste - Comitato 17 December film screening

  Posted: December 15th, 2010, 9:04am PST

  On Friday 17th December 2010, the Committee for the Civil Rights for Prostitutes will celebrate the International Day to end Violence against Sex Workers with the projection of a documentary “Power to the Sisters” realised by Micropunta. Pia Covre will present the documentary in Trieste at Teatro Miela where 8 other films and documentaries realised only by female film directors will be projected as part of the Donne al Cinema program.

  

  Trieste: celebriamo il 17 dicembre al Teatro Miela PDF Stampa E-mail
  DONNE AL CINEMA

  all'interno della Rassegnadel 2010
  al Teatro Miela
  celebriamo il 17 Dicembe giornata controla violenza sui sex workers

  Alle ore 19.00 verrà presentato il video Power to the Sisters
  di Monica Carrozzoni e Fabrizio Vegliona, Istituto Micropunta,
  doc., Italia,2010, 40’,v.o. ing.sott.it

  
  introduce il documentario Pia Covre del Comitato per i
  Diritti Civili delle Prostitute

• 

  France - Cabiria holds 17 December Press conference and Rally

  Posted: December 15th, 2010, 8:49am PST

  
   

• 

  Spain - Collectivo Hetaira - street action and fiesta

  Posted: December 15th, 2010, 8:13am PST

  

• 

  France - 17 December Rally at Place Pigalle, Paris

  Posted: December 15th, 2010, 7:02am PST

  

  Journée internationale contre les violences faites aux travailleurs du sexe

  Paris - STRASS sex worker union is holding a rally on Friday December 17 - 19.00, at Place Pigalle - Paris

  December 17 is International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. Considered by many to be an "occupational hazard",  violence is still too rarely taken into account by the police and justice system. Too often, complaints are not recorded by the police, and when they are, the judicial administration does not pursue an investigation. Because of this sex workers are hesitant to initiate legal action, fearing to see and be denied access to one of their fundamental rights. Some, who are in irregular situations as migrants, do not even imagine having the right to complain. Thus, their attackers gain a sense of impunity that, far from being a coincidence, is created by the political and social climate that prevails in France on issues of prostitution and migration.

  • daily acts of violence, humiliating sexist, racist or homophobic insults judging who are "good citizens"
  • physical violence, beatings, rape, and murder,
  • symbolic violence that relegates them to either the place of victims, offenders or the socially maladjusted,
  • institutional violence, laws that criminalise their activities but also undermines any system of solidarity with and among them.

  Your presence is crucial. Express your solidarity and support with those concerned who dare to come together and speak out despite the stigma that they are under.

  Come to the rally with your many many red umbrellas!

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  Safer Work - information for and by sex workers

  Posted: December 15th, 2010, 3:07am PST

  Just released and now available online!

  As a result of the European project INDOORS, we are pleased to present you the two developed materials,based on a non-judgemental approach and a sex workers' rights perspective, aiming the empowerment and the promotion of safety at work.

  Safer Work- a leaflet on safety at work made for sex workers by sex workers and organisations from five EU countries. The leaflet is available in Bulgarian, English, French, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish.

  This leaflet is available as a pdf download in French, English, Bulgarian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Polish

  The leaflet targets sex workers working in hotels, apartments, brothels, clubs, bars, massage parlours, saunas, sex shops, and other indoor venues. The leaflet is the result of our local experiences. It presents advice and tips related to safety at work, and information on sex work legislation in Bulgaria, France, Germany, Italy and Portugal.

   

   

   

   

  Also Available!

  Indoor Sex Work- An analysis and good practices manual on indoor sex work settings in seven European cities. The manual is available in English.

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  Italy - 17 December debate and performances

  Posted: December 15th, 2010, 2:48am PST

  

  Since 2003, every 17th of December has been the world day to remind us of the violence on sex workers. This event was created in order to make people aware of the crimes committed against sex workers in the world and to promote actions against their stigmatisation

  on Friday the 17th of december Ala Milano onlus is organising in collaboration with Ceas, Padri somaschi and Frida Cafè an open evening to meet and debate on the situation of sex workers. It is an open moment where social workers and policy makers that work with this phenomena can meet, exchange opinions, get to know each other and share projects

  You are invited to watch some videos produced by some of our services and a music and spoken performance at 8 p.m.

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  UK - 17 December event - guest speakers and performances

  Posted: December 14th, 2010, 2:03am PST

  

  Several ICRSE members, including x-talk, IUSW and Ana Lopes will be participating in an event for International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers hosted by SERTUC LGBT Network

  "Join us in observing the 7th annual International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers and remembering those we've lost to violence, oppression, and hate. Whether perpetrated by clients, partners, the police, or the state, we must stand against the cycle of violence experienced by sex workers around the world.

  In the wake of the Urugay’s recommendation to the Obama Administration at the Universal Periodic Review to address “the special vulnerability of sexual workers to violence and human rights abuses," we ask that you join us in solidarity to fight the criminalization, oppression, assault, rape, and murder of sex workers and folks perceived as sex workers." (quoted from event facebook page)

   

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  UK - GMB members protest against job losses in Hackney

  Posted: December 7th, 2010, 5:16am PST

  On Friday the 10th of December GMB members will take to the street at Hackney Town Hall to protest a proposal that threatens 400 jobs.

  Show your support by attending this protest!

  When: 10:30am on Friday 10, December
  Where: Hackney Town Hall, Mare Street, London E81EA
   

  (GMB Press Release)

  Why: 400 jobs are at risk of closure because of the council's plan to adopt a 'nil policy' on clubs that would put an end to the renewal of licenses. GMB members will demonstrate at Hackney Town Hall on Friday 10th December over Hackney Council proposal of a 'nil' policy for strip venues and sex shops as they believe they no longer fit in with the character of the borough's town centres and neighbourhoods which will cost 400 jobs.

  There are 4 strip venues and one sex shop in Hackney, most of these premises have been in business for over 30 years, and licensed by Hackney under the Sex Encounter Premises Act for over ten years. Hackney have already been licensing these businesses under strict rules and regulations for years. The consultation for this policy is closing on Monday 13th December and the protest to show opposition of GMB to this.

  Hackney are concerned about the poverty and high unemployment levels in the Borough, yet by implementing this 'nil' policy, they will be putting approximately 400 local people out of work

  Thierry Schaffauser, president of the GMB sex workers and adult entertainment branch said: " GMB adult entertainment branch is supporting its members working in Hackney adult venues. 400 jobs are at risk of closure because of the council's plan to adopt a 'nil policy' that would put an end to the renewal of licenses.

  We are worried that the workers will be pushed to work in unlicensed venues or for private parties where they are more likely to be pressured to perform sexual acts they don’t necessary want to do and where safety, exploitation and working conditions are much worse. Nudity has nothing degrading. What is degrading is bad working conditions and that's what the nil policy will create in Hackney.

  Traditional East End strip pubs are well run and already subject to strict license and this is an sexist proposal. There is a huge hypocrisy of the female run, owned and staffed venues being targeted but the gay sex encounters venues in Shoreditch being exempt and unaffected by the 'nil' policy. So this makes the proposed policy nothing to do with morality or cleaning up the area and everything to do with attacking a woman's choice of work and means of earning money.

  This is a very independent and creative business, unlike the larger; well know 'chain strip clubs'. To destroy this would be to ruin one of the great characteristics of Shoreditch that has directly fed into the music, arts, and performance scene in the area. We are pro-freedom and anti-censorship.

  Adults chose to work in these pubs and chose to go to these pubs, nothing illegal is happening. Strippers are not victims and owners are not all wicked old men. All adults should be free to choose their employment and entertainment. "

  For more information contact: Anna Meyer 07974 251808, Suzanna Slack, 07757 469 533 or GMB Press Office Steve Pryle on 07921 289880 or Rose Conroy on 07974 251823.

  
  For full details of the Hackney policy and consultation please go here.
  For more information please go to facebook group SAVE HACKNEY'S STRIP VENUES
  Learn more about the GMB

  The workforce have set up an alliance of dancers, ex dancers, managers, owners, DJs, security, customers, Burlesque performers, sex workers, representatives from the LGBT community, representatives from Equity and GMB and the Vicar of Shoreditch. Not everyone involved in this campaign will be immediately affected by the 'nil' policy but all are standing by the dancers and owners. This is because we believe this a first step and if it passes many more councils will try it and may more of our freedoms will be lost.

  Also read article TV vicar: Why I’m fighting to keep lapdancing clubs open in my parish by: Rashid Razaq 03.12.10

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  17 December 2010

  Posted: December 2nd, 2010, 6:08am PST

  

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  17 December 2010

  Posted: December 2nd, 2010, 6:08am PST