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03/11/2008 - 17th Dec, International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers: Events 2008

December 17th is International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. This event was created to call attention to hate crimes committed against sex workers all over the world. It was created by The Sex Workers Outreach Project in the USA as a memorial and vigil for the victims of the “Green River Killer”, in Seattle Washington. Go here if you want to read more about the day. This event was created to call attention to hate crimes committed against sex workers all over the globe. It has become a day when sex workers and allies in towns and cities from around the world come together and organize against discrimination and remember victims of violence.

UKNSWP event in Manchester 10.00-1.30



UKNSWP will be having a free event on the morning of the 17th December, with a chance for projects to share work and experiences regarding violence against sex workers and safety.

Time: The event will start at 10.00 and finish at 1.30 (lunch will be provided).

Venue: This will be taking place in Manchester at a Manchester Town Hall, Albert Square M60 2LA

Program: The following presentations will be made;

Hilary Kinnell on her new book "Violence & Sex Work in Britain"
Michelle Stoops (Armistead Project) & Cheryl Rhodes (Merseyside Police North Liverpool, Hate Crime Unit) on addressing violence against sex workers in Merseyside
Del Campbell & Max Haddermann (THT, London) on safety and violence issues for male and transgender sex workers
Julia Plaine (SWEET Project, Kirklees) on murders of street sex workers in Kirklees
St Marys Sexual Assault Referral Centre on a partnership promotional campaign to encourage the reporting of rape and sexual assault by sex workers in Manchester.

Attendees at the event will be encouraged to tie a white ribbon of remembrance to a festive tree and we will remember the female, male and trans sex workers who have experienced violence and we will particularly remember those who have been murdered.

Let us know! If you wish to attend please let us know on; info@uknswp.org.uk . There are limited places so let us know by Monday 1st December if you would like to come along.

To see the full program click here.

OTHER UK DEC 17TH EVENTS

Other events taking place in the UK include;

IUSW: Carol Singing & Mulled Wine Evening
The International Union of Sex Workers (GMB) are holding a Carol Singing and Mulled Wine Evening. The event is a serious evening based in St Anne's C of E church in Soho. There will be a minutes silence for the five women who were murdered in Ipswich two years ago. This will be followed by carol singing and a collection for the xtalkproject.net and Safety First Coalition in and around Soho.

IUSW invite support for this event and encourage people to lend their voice “as we all try to speak out in our own way about the issues that are affecting sex workers currently.

Click here to find out more about the IUSW event.

The Well: Memorial Service & Poetry Readings
The Well in Bristol are holding their our own service in memory of the women whom have died. This will be held by an inter-faith minister, candles will be lit and people will read out their own poems.

Brighter Futures’ Women’s Project supports women to exit street prostitution. They report that since 1993 within Stoke on Trent 4 women have been murdered working in street prostitution. Countless more have reported sexual and physical assaults, robbery and other forms of violent or aggressive behaviour. On 17th December they will be holding a day of fun and relaxation for the women they support. The project base will offer a beauty and complimentary therapy salon, including; manicures, hair cuts, massages. Their hostel will be offering arts and crafts led by their arts co-ordinator, and personal safety sessions will be delivered by outside agencies. Each woman attending the day will receive a “goodie bag”, including healthy snacks, smellies and personal safety information. There will be an opportunity for women attending the day to remember their friends who are no longer with us. The project delivers twice weekly out-reach sessions giving practical information and support. This includes; condoms, mug sheets, hot drinks and needle exchange. At the project base the y run twice weekly drop-in and activity sessions, each has a different focus. The sessions offer women the opportunity to join in arts and crafts, and life skills development. These sessions cover benefits and budgeting, domestic violence, mental health and dealing with overdose. The project hopes the day will be both informative and fun and encourage more women to use the service.Brighter Futures is a Registered Social Landlord. We support people who have experienced social exclusion through homelessness, mental ill health or substance misuse.

Armistead Street in Liverpool are holding a memorial in commemoration of International day to end Violence against Sex Workers. They will be coming together with sex workers, colleagues from partner agencies and Merseyside Police to remember all the sex workers around the world who have been victims of violence and those who have lost their lives. They will be particularly remembering the 9 women who have lost their lives in Merseyside since 1990. For more information contact; Michelle.stoops@armistead.nwest.nhs.uk

Chrysalis in Dublin will be marking the 17th with an information evening for working women in staying safe. This will include information of services and how to get support, self defence and awareness session and a support session about dealing with legal issues. For further information email; Karen@chrysalisdrugproject.org

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