Super excited to be joining this next session!
🔗ftc.heysummit.com/talks/sex-work…
Featuring @AnastaciaRyan , @prerna_menon , @TheJasonDomino & Andi!
#FastTrackScot
🔗ftc.heysummit.com/talks/sex-work…
Featuring @AnastaciaRyan , @prerna_menon , @TheJasonDomino & Andi!
#FastTrackScot
Nathan hosting for us again.
Starting with a presentation from @AnastaciaRyan.
Focusing on taking a public health and social justice approach to sex work in Scotland.
@UmbrellaLane aims to remove stigma and improve the wellbeing of Sex Workers.
UL aims to create a safe
Starting with a presentation from @AnastaciaRyan.
Focusing on taking a public health and social justice approach to sex work in Scotland.
@UmbrellaLane aims to remove stigma and improve the wellbeing of Sex Workers.
UL aims to create a safe
Community, create meaningful connections and open up conversations around sex work.
We focus on the actual needs and not the perceived needs of Sex Workers, unlike most policy makers. - Dr Ryan. (Paraphrased)
UL & other sex worker led groups were the only ones to provide direct
We focus on the actual needs and not the perceived needs of Sex Workers, unlike most policy makers. - Dr Ryan. (Paraphrased)
UL & other sex worker led groups were the only ones to provide direct
Financial aid to Sex Workers that had no access to public funds.
UL is ineligible for public funding as they don't accept that sex work/prostitution is violence against women.
The #EquallySafeConsultation was launched just after sex worker led groups had been working flat out
UL is ineligible for public funding as they don't accept that sex work/prostitution is violence against women.
The #EquallySafeConsultation was launched just after sex worker led groups had been working flat out
To support sex workers throughout covid19. At which point they had to rally and raise awareness of the consultation and create resources to help the general public understand what the potential effect of this consultation could have on the SW community.
The response from the
The response from the
Community has been overwhelming and Dr Ryan believes that @scotgov didn't expect such mobilisation from SW rights groups after having endured 10 months of covid19.
She notes that in countries where sex work has been criminalised there has been a significant rise in violence
She notes that in countries where sex work has been criminalised there has been a significant rise in violence
Against Sex Workers.
The 2nd point of the consultation that Dr Ryan highlights is the focus on exiting.
She says that exiting is a very complex issue and that one of the main concerns that has not been fully addressed is the fact that people that wish to exit will need
The 2nd point of the consultation that Dr Ryan highlights is the focus on exiting.
She says that exiting is a very complex issue and that one of the main concerns that has not been fully addressed is the fact that people that wish to exit will need
Financial support.
By treating people like they're powerless you can re-traumatise someone by taking away they're agency. - Dr Ryan (paraphrased)
Check out the online tool created by @ScotPep to fill in a response but be sure to make changes and personalise your response.
By treating people like they're powerless you can re-traumatise someone by taking away they're agency. - Dr Ryan (paraphrased)
Check out the online tool created by @ScotPep to fill in a response but be sure to make changes and personalise your response.
Opening up to the panellists now and the q&a section.
Andi has only recently found out about the consultation and was shocked to hear about the potential implications of the consultation. They feel the idea of criminalization is a step backwards. They said having become a SW
Andi has only recently found out about the consultation and was shocked to hear about the potential implications of the consultation. They feel the idea of criminalization is a step backwards. They said having become a SW
They would hate to have their work made more dangerous.
Jason, who works with @NationalUglyMug & is a SW, says that he/the community don't trust orgs that don't openly stand in support of SW's & support of decriminalization.
Prerna emphasises that any criminalization of SW will
Jason, who works with @NationalUglyMug & is a SW, says that he/the community don't trust orgs that don't openly stand in support of SW's & support of decriminalization.
Prerna emphasises that any criminalization of SW will
Increase stigma and have a very negative effect on the community's mental health.
Nathan notes that it can be difficult for orgs to engage with SW's as it can have implications on their funding/reputation.
Jason suggests having a conversation with funding bodies about #DasP
Nathan notes that it can be difficult for orgs to engage with SW's as it can have implications on their funding/reputation.
Jason suggests having a conversation with funding bodies about #DasP
Which is decriminalization as prevention. It's a harm reduction mindset and can be a way opening up funders to being more understanding.
Q: likely gaps showing up in the consultation & how could individual responses address this.
A: call out the fact that the most advocated for legislation (decrim) is not put forward as an option in the consultation. The framework is not fit for purpose. - Dr Ryan
A: call out the fact that the most advocated for legislation (decrim) is not put forward as an option in the consultation. The framework is not fit for purpose. - Dr Ryan
Q: what drew you (Andi) to working with @TeamPrepster and breaking down barriers around SW?
A: wanted to speak with those affected rather than at people. I as a SWer felt more comfortable engaging with groups like prepster as I knew I could trust them. - Andi
A: wanted to speak with those affected rather than at people. I as a SWer felt more comfortable engaging with groups like prepster as I knew I could trust them. - Andi
Q: how would decrim address the needs & safety concerns of undocumented SW's in the country?
A: unless SW is decrim, you don't have strong connections for SW's to engage with. The SW community is very protective of its most at risk members & won't just trust anyone - Jason
A: unless SW is decrim, you don't have strong connections for SW's to engage with. The SW community is very protective of its most at risk members & won't just trust anyone - Jason
Police were doing "welfare visits" to migrant SW's & it was making the migrant members of the community extremely anxious. - Dr Ryan
Q: are there any non SW led groups that are being good allies and championing SW causes?
A: HIV Scotland! Tgere has been private support- Dr Ryan
Q: are there any non SW led groups that are being good allies and championing SW causes?
A: HIV Scotland! Tgere has been private support- Dr Ryan
From other groups but we need more org to come forward in public support. - Dr R
@amnesty is also a great example. It's important for orgs to have a living connection with SW groups - Jason
Look to small grassroots orgs, those are the people living those experiences - Andi
@amnesty is also a great example. It's important for orgs to have a living connection with SW groups - Jason
Look to small grassroots orgs, those are the people living those experiences - Andi
Nathan notes that their response to the 2014 Consultation statement is still available on the HIV Scotland website as they know how important it is to have that public support visible.
HIV Scotland knew that taking a stance of public support might isolate them from other groups
HIV Scotland knew that taking a stance of public support might isolate them from other groups
But they recognised how important showing public support was/is.
Q: are SW's never consulted on policy.
A: we're not actively included, we don't get funded and so any chance to be involved in policy we have to pull everything together ourselves. - Dr R
Q: are SW's never consulted on policy.
A: we're not actively included, we don't get funded and so any chance to be involved in policy we have to pull everything together ourselves. - Dr R
Taking care of SW's across different levels of work is really important but orgs dont always know how to help and so coproduction of resources is extremely important - Jason
Due to stigma SW's are terrified to come out. We want to create conversation around SW - Prerna
Due to stigma SW's are terrified to come out. We want to create conversation around SW - Prerna
Q: the Scot gov policy is about women and girls, surely girls shouldn't be included, it's also one gender specific - how do other genders respond.
A: the current state of transphobia in the UK means that Andi isn't surprised by the way the consultation is very gender biased - A
A: the current state of transphobia in the UK means that Andi isn't surprised by the way the consultation is very gender biased - A
Be aware of your language. Is your language gendered, can you make it non-gendered? - Andi
I found the terminology of the consultation extremely offensive. The reports used in the consultation have also been debunked by the Scot gov themself. - Jason
I found the terminology of the consultation extremely offensive. The reports used in the consultation have also been debunked by the Scot gov themself. - Jason
Q: what 1 thing do you want the public/orgs/activists to do with you & SW's in the future of policy making?
A: always ensure that you are including SW's in talks about SW's policy. If you can't get SW's involved directly then include SW led groups. - Dr R
A: always ensure that you are including SW's in talks about SW's policy. If you can't get SW's involved directly then include SW led groups. - Dr R
If the Nordic Model were put into place and I had a seizure, would a clinet/flat mate call an ambulance or would they leave me for fear of being arrested? - Jason
I find barriers more on a personal/social level. People can examine your opinions of SW on a personal level - Andi
I find barriers more on a personal/social level. People can examine your opinions of SW on a personal level - Andi
Use the resources created by SW led groups to tackle complicated consultations and engage with them directly- Prerna
This has been a wonderful session and it's so great to see this conversation being facilitated by @HIVScotland
Thank you all!
This has been a wonderful session and it's so great to see this conversation being facilitated by @HIVScotland
Thank you all!
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