7 Ways To Mark the International Day To End Violence Against Sex Workers
For two decades, activists have marked December 17 with demonstrations meant to mourn sex workers who have been killed and to help prevent future violence. It’s known as the International Day To End Violence Against Sex Workers (IDEVASW), or sometimes just D17. Over the years, it’s become a time for sex workers and their allies to organize, to educate, and to draw attention to conditions—such as criminalization—that make violence against sex workers more likely.
Today, I want to highlight some things that anyone can do to mark D17 this year.
Understand the Day’s History and Significance
“December 17 is a day, where across the globe, sex workers, advocates and allies remember and mourn those that the sex worker community has lost over the last year,” explains the Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP). “A list of names is compiled and read, candles are lit, and communities come together to make sure those we have lost are not forgotten.” More:
December 17 began in 2003 in response to the sentencing of a murderer Gary Ridgeway, who was convicted of 49 separate murders, although ultimately, he is thought to have taken over 90 lives. When asked about his very specific targeting, he admitted “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 picked prostitutes because I thought I could kill as many of them as I wanted without getting caught.”
In response, Robyn Few, founder of the Sex Workers Outreach Project, and Annie Sprinkle were determined to make sure that the women who lost their lives were remembered, and their names said out loud. They organized a speak out in San Francisco, and encouraged people to hold vigils in their local areas. Since 2003, D17 has spread to become a day of global awareness and resilience for the entire sex work community.”
SWOP’s December 17 project “is a collaborative effort to continue this mission by maintaining a global resource of memorialized sex workers, a podcast telling the stories of their lives, and a blog with news updates about cases of murdered sex workers as well as information about the fight for sex workers’ rights and safety.”
For more on the day’s history and meaning—with lots of links to sex workers’ writing—check out Reason‘s previous D17 posts and follow the #IDEVASW and #D17 hashtags on social media tomorrow.
Show Up for a Demonstration or Vigil
D17 events range from virtual vigils and panels to in-person protests and parties. Some are designed solely for sex workers while others are aimed at a broader audience. (It’s a good idea for non–sex workers to pay attention to event details so as not to show up where it’s inappropriate. For the events listed here, I’ve noted the intended audience where I’ve seen it specified.)
Here are some of this year’s virtual events:
• Silence, Violence, and Sex Workers’ Rights: “An evening of art and resistance celebrating the lives of the fallen and providing actions to make our community safer.” This virtual roundtable will be moderated by the New Jersey Red Umbrella Alliance and starts at 4 p.m. ET.
• COYOTE RI is hosting a virtual D17 event from 7 to 9 p.m. ET. You can register here.
• Sex Worker’s Rights as Human Rights: “A conversation on International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.” This virtual panel, hosted by the International Studies Association, starts at 3 p.m. ET.
• Event in support of Chrystul Kizer: “Sex worker advocates Renee Olstead and Lotus Lain will host an online event…in support of Chrystul Kizer, an Illinois-based sex trafficking survivor who was jailed after killing her trafficker in self-defense. In addition to time spent with fellow sex workers, attendees will create handmade holiday cards which will be scanned and sent to Kizer.” The card-making meetup is aimed at sex workers, but the sign-up sheet also welcomes non-sex workers who want to show support.
• Trans Equity panel: Transequity and Victoria Von Blaque will be hosting a virtual panel at 4:30 p.m. ET.
• All-day SWOP event for members of the sex work community: SWOP is hosting “an all-day event to celebrate the resilience of the sex work community.” It kicks off on Zoom tomorrow at 11 a.m. ET. “Anyone who is part of the community is encouraged to attend and celebrate the resilience of the sex work community,” the event page says.
And here are a few non-virtual happenings in the U.S.:
• Chicago Protest Vigil: Support Ho(s)e Chicago is holding a protest vigil in downtown Chicago at 7 p.m. CT. “Open to current/former [sex workers] and accomplices,” the event flyer says. “Masking required for safety and anonymity.”
• Minneapolis Candlelight Vigil: “SWOP Minneapolis is hosting a candlelight vigil to honor Sex Workers who didn’t survive 2024 and a ceremony of recommitment to fighting like hell for the living.” The vigil kicks off at 7 p.m. at 2110 Nicollet Avenue. “This is a space for remembrance, resistance, and solidarity, and it’s open to everyone,” the group says on Instagram. “Whether you’re a sex worker, an ally, or just someone who believes in dignity and safety for all, you’re invited to join us. Bring flowers, bring your support, and stand with us as we demand an end to violence against sex workers. Let’s show up for those we’ve lost and fi
Article from Reason.com
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