International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers 2011

NEW YORK CITY -- Today is the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.

Here are five fast facts that you need to know:

1.  Sex work is the oldest job on the market (longevity-wise) today.
2.  Sex work is very little different from your average manufacturing job and should be treated just like all day jobs.  The one difference between those who work in manufacturing and those who work in prostitution (at least for another two weeks, barring an appointment [recess or otherwise] to the NLRB by President Obama) is that manufacturers have unions, prostitutes do not.
3.  Two hundred four (204) sex workers are victims of every one hundred thousand (100,000) murders annually in the United States - making prostitution the most dangerous job in the States.
4.  Sex workers elect to get tested for HIV & AIDS more often than any other group of people. Yes, you read that right. They get tested for HIV & AIDS the most often, and most of the time, sex workers are the ones who are requesting to get tested for the diseases.
5.  Sex workers are most likely to be victims of harassment by law enforcement (even more likely than African-Americans and Latinos), thereby making it much less likely that they will cooperate in police investigations.

More on the Day from SWOP Chicago:

On Saturday, December 17th, sex workers and their allies will gather at vigils around the world to commemorate the annual Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, honoring sex workers who have died at the hands of violent crimes, and declaring an end to all violence against sex workers. 

The Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers was inaugurated in 2003 after the conviction of Gary Ridgway (the “Green River Killer”), a serial killer responsible for the murder of at least 48 prostitutes in Washington State. One statement in his confession determined the need for a very public memorial that raises issues of violence against sex workers: “I picked prostitutes because I thought I could kill as many of them as I wanted without getting caught.” 

Unfortunately, violence committed against sex workers is often perpetrated by those individuals whom we believe protect us from harm: police officers and other law enforcement agents. The additional propensity for law enforcement agents to blame sex workers for their “high-risk lifestyles” contributes to a dangerous stereotype that fuels additional violence and brutalities. It is time to recognize that violence committed against sex workers is often ignored by those whose job it is to serve and protect, and that this must end.  At this year’s event, SWOP-Chicago will host a discussion with sex workers and other marginalized groups about their experiences with violence and harassment at the hands of law enforcement.

By the way, an event in Chicago begins at 20:00 EDT and runs until 21:30.

More info on events can be found here.