Oklute Supports End Violence Against Sex Workers Day
December 17 is commemorated in many countries as End Violence Against Sex Workers Day – a day that serves as a reminder of both how much we have lost and also a reminder to act against all forms of violence toward sex workers. Most importantly, December 17 reminds us that we must take action to end hate crimes, discrimination, and neglect against those who work in the sex industry.
At Oklute, we believe that human dignity, safety, and equitable justice are fundamental to our work. In order to truly advocate for others, we must advocate on behalf of the most marginalised members of society. As such, on December 17, we stand in solidarity with all sex workers around the world and demand that the violence, stigma, and systemic barriers that threaten the lives of sex workers be eradicated. Ending violence against sex workers is an urgent issue of human rights, not just an issue for compassion.
Why This Matters
The prevalence of violence towards sex workers is both alarming and unacceptable. This violence can come from clients, partners, and/or predators; it is further compounded through several layers of violence committed by governmental/institutional entities against sex workers (e.g., focusing on criminality instead of human rights). Furthermore, sex workers also experience an economic form of violence since they do not have access to basic human rights like work protections (i.e., the right to work safely), healthcare, or housing.
Many sex workers have intersectional identities (i.e., gender, race, migrant status, and/or Indigenous), which adds to the level of violence placed upon sex workers, making them more likely to be targeted and less likely to access resources for protection against violence. Ending violence against sex workers daily means that we acknowledge the daily threats faced by sex workers; a reality nobody should experience.
Addressing the Challenge
To successfully eliminate violence against sex workers, we cannot just treat symptoms of the problem but must approach the root cause of stigma against sex work and the criminalization of the profession.
The legal aspect is central to this problem. Sex work is illegal under many jurisdictions due to legislation that is intended to protect sex workers; however, these laws only serve to empower those who would abuse them, give abusers the ability to control victims without the threat of prosecution, and legitimize the discrimination that exists against sex workers. Human rights organizations throughout the world, including Amnesty International and the World Health Organization, agree that decriminalizing sex work is necessary for sex workers to be able to organize and report crimes without the fear of being arrested, to be able to access the justice system, and to be able to negotiate with clients regarding their safety as workers.
In addition, we need to demand accountability from the institutions that exist to protect all citizens; police departments need to ensure that their officers are trained to appropriately respond to reports of violence against sex workers, free from prejudice or bias. To accomplish this goal, we will need to change the public perception of sex work from one of judgment and bias to one that genuinely supports a sex worker’s right to personal safety as a human being.
Safety, Respect, and Rights
The framework proposed by Oklute is built on Safety, Respect, and Rights for all sex workers.
Safety provides a way to work free from fear of violence, exploitation, or coercion because there is a strong legal basis for protection. Safety also means access to emergency housing, mental health services, and non-discriminatory health care.
Sex work is work. Respect means acknowledging the autonomy and agency of sex workers. It requires listening to what sex workers have to say, putting their experiences at the centre when creating policy, and respecting their choice to advocate for their rights and organise collectively. Associations are often powerful agents for creating change and improving safety in the sex industry.
Rights describe what constitutes full inclusion in human rights and labour law. Sex work is work, and the workers who engage in sex work should have access to the same protections that all workers receive: safe places to work, good complaint processes, and the ability to negotiate collectively for better working conditions. Genuine equality means dismantling the artificial barriers that prevent a whole class of workers from receiving these basic forms of dignity.
Oklute’s Commitment to Change
The commitment Oklute makes through supporting End Violence Against Sex Workers Day is far more than a symbolic act; it is part of our ongoing pledge to work towards social equity. As part of that, we have committed to providing resources and using our platform in order to create a positive impact and drive change within that cause.
As an organization, we are committed to implementing non-discriminatory hiring practices and inclusive policies to help ensure that members of the sex work community feel safe and respected within our organization, as well as to increasing our partnerships with grassroots organizations and sex work advocacy groups by providing financial support, as well as amplifying their calls for legal reform.
We will also continue to educate ourselves and others about the negative impact that toxic narratives of sex work have on people’s ability to thrive. We hope that by providing accurate information, as well as humanizing the experience of those who engage in sex work, we can help chip away at the stigma that causes violence against individuals engaged in sex work. We believe that remaining silent while there is injustice being done is just as equals as being complicit, and therefore, we will remain outspoken allies.
Join Oklute in Standing for Dignity
Ending violence towards sex workers is a day to encourage people to take action against violence together. Supporting sex workers is supporting Basic Human Rights.
We encourage all members of our community to move past just observing and start doing something.
Educate Yourself: Find out what is legalized, criminalized, or decriminalized so that you know what Human Rights Organizations are advocating for, and why.
Support Decriminalization Efforts: Advocate for laws and policies that put the health and safety of workers first, and do not focus on punishing people.
Donate: Support sex worker-led organizations providing direct services and legal assistance, and crisis intervention.
Challenge Stigma: Get involved when you overhear someone using derogatory or dehumanizing terms for sex workers or telling jokes about them. Respect their terms and their autonomy.
Use the memory of those who have been lost to inspire you to take action. Work towards a world where every person, regardless of the profession they have chosen, can live and work without the threat of violence or fear.
At Oklute, health and sexuality are rooted in safety, respect, and informed choice. On End Violence Against Sex Workers Day, we stand for dignity and protection for all.
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