Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers: 10 things you can do to participate

by Amber Rhea, December 14, 2007 - 10:44am


5th International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

On December 17th, people around the world will be calling attention to hate crimes perpetrated against sex workers. Here are a few suggestions, written by Dr. Annie Sprinkle, for ways to participate:

1. Do something of personal meaning alone at home; take a ritual bath, or simply think about those who have died, light a candle, make a wish, have a cry, call a friend and discuss the topic, etc.

2. Write a short personal quote or a statement about violence against sex workers and send it to the SWOP web site for them to post.

3. Send a donation to a nonprofit group that helps sex workers stay safer.

4. Organize a public memorial event in your town. If not, choose a place, and time, where you can gather. Make an email letter and/or flier and get it around with news of the event. Invite people to bring writings, stories, readings, thoughts, related news items, poems, performances, etc. Make a circle at the event. Take turns sharing. This will make for a wonderful memorial and be great for consciousness raising and outreach as well.

5. Organize a panel discussion about violence towards sex workers. You can ask a church or other community space if you can do it there.

6. Send news of this event to any and all press you know, so the word gets out that there are people who care about murdered sex workers, and who are concerned with the safety of sex workers out there today.

7. Attend one of the events which is listed on the SWOP web site.

8. If you know any sex workers, send them some information about self-defense.

9. Send a personal email letter to people telling them how you feel about violence against sex workers and the women who were murdered by serial killer Gary Ridgway. Or email this letter around.

10. Read Daisy Anarchy's poem (click here) to yourself or to friends, or at one of the public events. Or email it around.


ATL folks, remember:

December 17, 2007
7:00-8:30pm
Charis Books and More
1189 Euclid Ave NE (in the Little Five Points Business District)

myspace.com/redumbrellaatlanta
upcoming.yahoo.com/event/328271
facebook.com/event.php?eid=6034139586

Tags: activism, crime, International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, law, sex work

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