Today Is International Day To End Violence Against Sex Workers

Today is the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. It takes place every year on the 17th December and gives us the chance to remember those we have lost throughout the years and to show our support for those still working in the industry.

Rear view of young woman with red umbrella.

It is a day where people from all around the world will join together to show that sex workers rights are human rights, and that the current laws surrounding sex work are failing to protect the vulnerable. For those of you eager to get involved in some way, we have a few suggestions.

Dublin, Ireland

Those of you in Dublin hoping to get involved might want to consider watching The Sex Workers’ Opera. You’ll need to RSVP to attend but it is a free event to get into, and promises to give “an unflinchingly honest, upliftingly human insight into the lives of sex workers”.

The opera aims to get people thinking about the stigma surrounding the industry and our own thoughts when we hear things like “escort”, “stripper”, or “porn star”. The show has repeatedly sold out, so should you find yourself in the area it is worth heading along.

This special show will take place at The Complex Dublin, 15 Little Green Street, Dublin, Ireland D7. It is special because, on the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, they will hold a vigil for the sex workers in Ireland who have been killed. If you would like more information about the event, their Facebook page has plenty to answer your questions.

Belfast, Northern Ireland

For anyone in Northern Ireland, the Sex Workers Alliance Ireland has arranged for a vigil to take place at Belfast City Hall.

As their Facebook event tells us, “This year Ireland has seen the push for the further criminalisation of sex work in the Sexual Offences Bill”, and so they are inviting “all sex workers, supporters and allies” to a candlelit vigil to honour and remember the sex workers who have found themselves as victims of violence.

The vigil will be held from 7pm to 8pm, and so if you are nearby you should go along to show your support.

Other events around the world

Not in Dublin or Belfast today? No matter where you are, you are sure to find an event near you. The International Day To End Violence Against Sex Workers website has a huge catalogue of events, so you can easily find something.

Whether you are in the States hoping to honour the sex workers who have been victims of violence or you are in Europe, you’ll find an event near you. There are plenty of vigils to take part in, as well as plays to tell the stories of sex workers.

Even if you can’t find an event near you, you can still hold your own vigil. Light a candle for those we have lost or get your red umbrella out.

Twitter

If you can’t get to any of these events, don’t worry. You can still get involved, show your support, and make your voice heard, thanks to social media. On Twitter you can use #InternationalDayToEndViolenceAgainstSexWorkers, #IDEVASW, #IDEVASW17 or #IDTEVASW to take part.

You can also check out National Ugly Mugs, as they will be tweeting to remember the sex workers who have been murdered in the UK. They will tweet every five minutes throughout the day, showing just how many we have had taken from us throughout the years.

If you cannot be there is person, an online presence can show that you are still thinking of them, and it is the perfect way to get involved and talk to others honouring this important day.

Why we need this day

It would be great if we did not need this day, but we do. The International Day To End Violence Against Sex Workers is an important day because it serves as a reminder that we have a lot of work to do. Given the recent laws and bills which have been brought into play, it is now more important than ever to get involved.

These laws make sex workers even more vulnerable. It puts sex workers at risk. And this needs to stop.

Let us know how you will be spending today by leaving a comment in the box below. Will you be attending a vigil or are you going to stick around on social media?

Lara Mills
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