December 17 is the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers
Stigma perpetuates violence against sex workers
Every year on December 17, sex workers and their allies mark the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.
It is a day of mourning for those who were lost to violence and a day to call for change – for the rights of and justice for sex workers and for policy makers to respect sex workers as valued community members that are worthy of safety, support and protection.
Globally, it’s estimated that 45% to 75% of sex workers have experienced violence. Perpetrators target sex workers because they recognize that sex workers are devalued and stigmatized by society. Sex workers often hesitate to report incidents to police out of fear of criminal charges, stigma, or further abuse. In a 2020 Canadian study, only 38% of sex workers who experienced violence reported it to police. Sex workers also face barriers to support and are blamed for the violence they experience.
What you can do
There are many steps each person can take to do their part to end violence against sex workers:
- Be aware of your own unconscious bias about sex work
- Understand how pervasive stigmatizing images and language are in popular culture
- Recognize the unique life experience of each individual sex worker
- Address stigma and misinformation among peers, colleagues and family
- Educate yourself about sex workers’ experiences and issues
Living in Community (LIC) is a provincial non-profit organization and registered charity that is working to collaboratively improve the health and safety of sex workers and address community concerns.
LIC offers online courses on:
- Creating new perspective on sex workers’ safety and acceptance in society.
- How to approach and provide health and social services to sex workers.
- Human trafficking and how to support survivors.
Get more information about LIC’s courses.
