Learning Engagement: Advocating for Deaf Sex Workers

The harmful effects of stigmatization and sex work is still unknown, yet there is an increase in Deaf survivors who do sex work being served by Deaf programs. It is clear we need more support on how we can create and hold space for Deaf sex workers.

As part of our two-day program, we hosted a panel of Deaf community activists who are intimately familiar with the sex trade, who have experienced domestic violence and/or sexual violence. By using a culturally responsive framework, advocates can offer survivor-centered and trauma-informed services that prioritize the survivor's distinctive safety requirements rooted in their culture and daily life. On the second day, we have opportunities to use case-scenarios and apply advocacy strategies.

Our goal is to increase advocates’ capacity to provide unbiased, culturally responsive and trauma-informed care to Deaf survivors who do sex work and/or experience human trafficking. Advocates will also be connected to more resources and information for their work in direct services and community outreach/education initiatives.

Learning Engagement Day One

Learning Engagement Day Two

Resources

Resources for Advocates

December 17 is International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

https://www.nswp.org/event/international-day-end-violence-against-sex-workers-6

started by Sex Workers Outreach Project USA https://swopusa.org/

How to End Violence Against Sex Workers

https://genderpolicyreport.umn.edu/how-to-end-violence-against-sex-workers/

Black and Brown Sex Workers Keep Getting Pushed to the Margins

https://wyvarchive.com/black-brown-sex-workers/

Meaningful Work: Transgender Experiences in the Sex Trade

https://www.transequality.org/sites/default/files/Meaningful%20Work-Full%20Report_FINAL_3.pdf

Urban Justice Center - Sex Workers Project

https://swp.urbanjustice.org/

Living in Community Sex Work Toolkit
https://livingincommunity.ca/tools-for-change-information-for-all/

SOIL - Transformative Justice Project - Pod Mapping Worksheets
https://www.soiltjp.org/our-work/resources/pods

Harm Reduction Resource Library
https://harmreduction.org/all-resources/#sex-work

New York City Sex Workers Project
https://sexworkersproject.org/resources/

Bay Area Sex Worker Advocacy Network
https://www.sfcaht.org/bay-area-sex-worker-advocacy-network.html

Washington, DC Sex Workers Advocates Coalition
https://www.hips.org/sex-worker-advocates-coalition-swac.html

Information on violence against sex workers:

Former Minister Admits to Murder of Detroit Trans Woman Kelly Stough

https://www.advocate.com/crime/kelly-stough-murdered-pleaded-guilty

Gary Ridgeway

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Ridgway

Confessed to murdering 71 victims, more than any other serial killer in U.S. history. The large pre-capture victim count underscores societal stigmatization against sex workers.
Said, “I picked prostitutes as victims because they were easy to pick up without being noticed. I knew they would not be reported missing right away and might never be reported missing. I picked prostitutes because I thought I could kill as many of them as I wanted without getting caught."

Resources for Sex Workers

Arrest Safety Plan

https://swopusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Arrest-Safety-Planning.pdf