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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.