“International Day To End Violence Against Sex Workers” Virtual Memorial #Dec17th
SAVE THE DATE: DECEMBER 17TH, 2023 (7-10 PM EST)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bella Robinson, Coyote RI 401-525-8757 bella@coyoteri.org
Contact: Maxine Doogan, ESPLERP 415-265-3302, info@esplerp.org
International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers is observed annually on December 17 by sex workers, their advocates, friends, families, and allies. Originally conceived as a memorial and vigil for the victims of the Green River Killer in Seattle, Washington, US, it has evolved into an annual international event. The Memorial calls attention to hate crimes committed against sex workers worldwide, as well as the need to remove the social stigma and discrimination that have contributed to violence against sex workers and indifference from the communities they are part of. Sex worker activists also state that custom and prohibitionist laws perpetuate such violence.
Dec 17th, 2023, is the 20th Anniversary of International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.
Please Join COYOTE RI and our sponsors for our Annual “International Day To End Violence Against Sex Workers” virtual event. Folks can register here
This event will include the 2023 Memorial Video, with the following speakers
BELLA ROBINSON, Executive Director of “Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics” (COYOTE RI)
MAXINE DOOGAN President of the Erotic Service Providers Legal, Educational, and Research Project
TARA BURNS, COYOTE RIs Research and Policy Director
BLAIR HOPKINS, Executive Director of SWOP Behind Bars (SBB)
LINDSEY BERRY COYOTE RIs Health and Safety Education Specialist
ANTONIA CRANE Author, Activist, sex worker, and PhD Candidate at USC
LINDSAY HOFFMAN, COYOTE RI, Former criminalized sex worker, and current exotic dancer.
KAYLA KATT, Creator of COYOTE’s Sex Worker Storytelling Podcast
Jenna Torres Lysistrata Mutual Care Collective
JAE JDASH Director of Research and Resources, Lysistrata Mutual Care Collective and Fund/Rogue Support Network is a Researcher Advocate with 10+ yrs. experience in research, advocacy & public speaking. In 2018 she founded Liaison Consulting Services, LLC. After years of Consulting, published research, policy and legislative actions, and public speaking engagements, her work is now centered on art as edutainment and community healing. In 2023, Jay created and held space for hidden populations to showcase their art through storytelling and poetry alongside long-time colleague Jenna Torres of IamJennaTorres.
“Current anti-prostitution laws encourage violent predators to target our community because they know that our illegal status deters us from reporting to law enforcement”, said Bella Robinson COYOTE RI. This is why we are trying to pass HB6064; legislation that allows anyone reporting a serious crime (such as sexual assault, trafficking, robbery, domestic violence, or other violent crime) to do so without being arrested with a misdemeanor prostitution/massage without a license charge. But similar laws are needed in other States and at the Federal level”. Learn more with our Immunity Tool Kit & Storytelling Bank
“Ultimately, we demand decriminalization of our occupation to respect our human rights and dignity, protect us against violence and abuse, and improve our access to justice,” said Maxine Doogan of ESPLERP. “Decriminalization of sex work (for both sex workers and their clients) is supported by a long list of reputable international organizations including Amnesty International, the Global Alliance Against Trafficking in Women, the Global Commission on HIV and the Law, UNAIDS, Human Rights Watch, and the World Health Organization. It is about time the US protected all its citizens”.
#IDTEVASW
#IDTEVASW2023
#Dec17th
.@COYOTERI
