Do you know what today is...?

[Kathryn Bardot 99339]

[CENTER]December 17th is the [B]International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. [/B]
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A little history from [URL]http://www.december17.org/about/[/URL]
[quote] As we approach this day, we seek to come together to remember those who we have lost this year, and renew our commitment in the on-going struggle for empowerment, visibility, and rights for all sex workers. Violence against sex workers is an international concern which plays out on a daily basis, in all countries around the globe.


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[*]A study conducted by the New York City-based Sex Workers Project reported that 80% of participants had reported experiencing violence, including 27% at the hands of police.
[*]In a report on violence against sex workers in India, 70% had reported abuse by police, and 80% had been arrested without evidence.
[*]During a meeting of sex workers and advocates from Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa, participants described ââ?¬Å?routine police violence including sexual violence, beatings, rubber bullets, and spraying sex workersââ?¬â?¢ genitals with pepper-spray guns.ââ?¬Â
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The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers was originally developed by Dr. Annie Sprinkle and SWOP founder Robyn Few to shine a spotlight on the epidemic of violence against sex workers happening globally. SWOP-USA began commemorating the Day as a memorial and vigil for the victims of the Green River Killer in Seattle, Washington, who murdered at least 71 women, most of whom were sex workers from 1982 to 1998.
During the week of December 17th sex worker rights organizations around the world stage actions and vigils to raise awareness about violence that is commonly committed against sex workers. These events also often address issues relating to stigma and discrimination that allows violence against sex workers to occur with impunity. We seek to raise awareness about the barriers faced when attempting to report violence, and promote empowerment and change what has become an unacceptable status quo.[/quote]


More...
Rabble [url]http://rabble.ca/news/2013/12/sex-workers-around-world-fight-back-to-end-violence-and-create-justice[/url]

The LA Times [url]http://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-sex-workers-end-violence-december-17-20131216,0,5694340.story[/url]


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