Today is #InternationalSexWorkersDay - sex workers must not be forgotten in the #COVID19 pandemic and its aftermath. We’ve teamed up with @sexworkeurope and @SWAIIreland to explain why.
Sex workers are already marginalised and the pandemic is making things worse. With lockdowns & social distancing measures many sex workers can’t work; but unlike others they are largely excluded from social protection due to stigma and barriers to accessing help.
Without income through sex work, many struggle to provide food & means of survival for themselves & families. This is especially true for undocumented migrants, racialised, trans or homeless people in the sex industry, who often struggle to access other forms of work or support.
Sex workers orgs such as @sexworkeurope are documenting how sex workers are struggling to keep a roof over their heads, scapegoated for being “vectors of disease” and being refused support and protection by governments and society at large. redlightcovideurope.org
Criminalisation of sex work, including purchase of sex in many European countries, is causing harm. Sex workers are forced to operate at margins of society. They face an increased risk of violence, exploitation & stigmatization, which is heightened in times of desperation.
Sex workers are fighting for rights & supporting one another, as they have throughout history & across world. They're leading mutual aid initiatives & hardship funds which are quite literally saving lives of sex workers & their families. Donate now. sexworkeurope.org/news/news-regi…
We stand with sex workers. We support their calls for being included in plans to address the impact of #COVID19 and for the full decriminalization of sex work to guarantee their safety and human rights.
We stand with sex workers. We support their calls for being included in plans to address the impact of #COVID19 and for the full decriminalisation of sex work to guarantee their safety and human rights.
