International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

Tuesday 17 December 2024 marks the 21st International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, a day to remember those we have lost to violence, but also of awareness, solidarity, and activism. Although established in America, the day holds great significance in the UK, where sex workers still face numerous challenges, including continued violence and stigma, and lack of legal protection.

We have asked POW Nottingham, a charity that supports sex workers to write a guest blog for us about this day and the importance for people living in Nottingham…

About POW Nottingham

POW Nottingham was established in 1990, by sex workers from Nottingham and are now a charity supporting sex workers, and the rights of sex workers and those at risk of being exploited. We continue to be informed and shaped by the views of sex workers, creating a hub for sex workers to easily access the support they need without experiencing stigma and discrimination, and provide a platform for them to share their experiences and call for action.

We are holding several events in the week running up to IDEVASW, aiming to shed light on the lives of those working in the sex industry, the need for reform, and the importance of standing in solidarity with sex workers.

What is Sex Work

‘Sex work is the exchange of sexual services for money or goods. It includes direct physical contact, as well as indirect sexual stimulation.’

This term encompasses all types of sex work:

Street Sex Work – characterised by people working outdoors, and often the visible face of sex work. This is viewed as the riskiest form of sex work.

Off Street Sex Work – people working from a variety of indoor settings, with varying levels of risk, depending on the setting and if working with others.

Online or Industry Sex Work – people working virtually, by arrangement, or within a wider industry, such as webcamming, phonelines, ‘sugar-babying’, content creator, stripping. There may be less physical risk, however there are other associated risks.

There are a lot of myths around people who work in the sex industry.  There is no typical sex worker and they can be of any gender or background.  While some sex workers feel empowered by this work, others do it to simply earn a living, and some out of necessity.  People who resort to sex working to assist their finances often work in the health and social care industry, which can be poorly paid.  Sometimes students use sex work to top up their loan while studying.

The Struggles Faced by Sex Workers in the UK

Whilst sex work in the UK is not illegal, many aspects of it are criminalised, such as soliciting in public places, and working in saunas. This current legal framework, known as the Nordic model, makes sex workers more vulnerable to violence. For instance, those who work together for safety, risk criminal prosecution, and are therefore often forced to work alone.

Social stigma also plays a significant role in how sex workers are treated. Society often views sex work as morally wrong, perpetuating the idea that those in the profession deserve less dignity and respect or rights around consent.  This stigma contributes to the isolation of sex workers, preventing them from accessing healthcare, housing, or justice when they face violence.  Through raising public awareness, and challenging stigma, it allows for sex workers to take their place as valued members of society, deserving of dignity and respect.

Violence against sex workers is a reality for those in the industry, with many experiencing physical violence, sexual assault, and verbal abuse.  Sex workers are 12 times more likely to die from violence at work compared to those in other professions.  The abuse doesn’t stop there, with increased rates of economic abuse, and stalking, and specific issues such as outing and doxing – malicious sharing of identifying data.

At POW Nottingham, in the last year, 92 individuals raised concerns about their safety whilst working. A further 41 discussed sexual assaults, and 31 stalking and harassment.

We are grateful for organisations such as National Ugly Mugs who provide an informal reporting tool for sex works to anonymously report incidents, and receive report of incidents in their area. This allows sex workers to warn others of dangerous potential clients without needing to go to the police.

The Role of the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers (also known as Red Umbrella Day) helps to raise awareness of these injustices, encouraging public dialogue about the issues faced by sex workers and calls for policy changes that will protect them.

Decriminalising sex work is an approach that is widely supported by human rights organisations, such as Amnesty International.  Where this has been done, it has allowed sex workers to report violence without fear of arrest and provided them with legal rights and protections under labour laws, reducing the stigma that surrounds their work.

In New Zealand, where sex work was decriminalised in 2003, there have been significant improvements in safety, health, and legal protections for sex workers. Most recently, in Belgium, sex workers have gained the rights to sick days, maternity pay and pension rights.

In the UK, Decrim Now is calling on the UK government to support the full decriminalisation of sex work.  You can find out more on their website.

How to Show Your Support

At the Consent Coalition we are proud to support Red Umbrella Day and help raise awareness around the issues facing sex workers.  On 17 December we will be joining POW Nottingham and other organisations with our red umbrellas to honour the victims, support the survivors, and stand in solidarity with sex workers, letting them know that they matter not just on IDEVASW but on every day.

More Information:

POW Nottingham Website: https://pow-advice.org.uk

English Collective of Prostitutes: https://prostitutescollective.net