International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers
December 17 marks International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. This day serves as a call to action and reflection, urging attention to the hate crimes committed against sex workers worldwide. It was established in 2003 by Dr. Annie Sprinkle and the Sex Workers Outreach Project USA as a memorial and vigil for the victims of the Green River Killer in Seattle, Washington.
On this important day, we reflect on the ongoing struggle for justice, dignity, and rights for sex workers. This year, we remember those who have tragically lost their lives, including Hyun Sook Jeon and Yuqi Luo, whose deaths were part of a horrific wave of violence targeting Asian-migrant sex workers. We also remember the recent murder of a sex worker at 149 Rainbow Garden in Naarm, a reminder of the continued violence that affects our communities. These tragedies highlight the systemic violence, stigma, and discrimination faced by sex workers, particularly those who are Asian, migrant, or trans.
In response to this violence, sex workers in so-called Australia and beyond continue to organise autonomously to take control of our own narratives, build support networks, and demand the change, safety, justice, and rights we deserve.
Here are some powerful examples of sex worker organising that highlight our collective strength and determination to fight for justice:
Justice For Our Sisters (@justiceforoursisters): A collective of Asian and Asian-migrant sex workers in Naarm fighting for justice for Yuqi Luo and Hyun Sook Jeon, and advocating against the systemic violence and discrimination faced by Asian sex workers.
Decolonise Sex Work (@decolonisesexworkau): A Blak sex work collective dedicated to decolonising and destigmatising Indigenous sex work in so-called Australia, focusing on mutual aid and community-building.
Protests Against Ugly Mug Elected to Local Council (bit.ly/4feyxo1): Sex workers in Naarm are protesting after an ugly mug was re-elected to local council, highlighting the ongoing societal indifference toward violence against sex workers.
Broth Collective (brothcollective@proton.me): A collective of brothel and establishment sex workers in Naarm working together to organise around workplace rights and build collective worker power.
Sex Worker Strike in Sydney (bit.ly/41BbxMx): Sex workers at the Penthouse Club in Sydney went on strike after an assault and disputes over working conditions, demanding better protections and fair treatment for all workers.
Fired Up Stilettos (@19firedupstilettos): A grassroots labour rights movement based in Aotearoa, advocating to improve industry standards and worker rights, formed in response to workplace injustices.
This International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, we stand united in demanding justice for those we have lost, including Hyun Sook Jeon, Yuqi Luo, and all victims of violence. We honour their memory by continuing the fight for safer workplaces, dignity, and the rights of sex workers everywhere.