Prostitution is a job spread all over the world. According to the most recent figures, this is the profession of 40-42 million people. Despite this, sex workers still face stigma and legal restrictions in most countries.
However, there are many organizations dedicated to helping prostitutes. Among other things, these initiatives fight for the decriminalization of sex work and the recognition of the rights of prostitutes. This article will talk about them.
Organizations supporting prostitutes and the legalization of sex work
Now, let’s look at organizations that fight for the legalization of prostitution and the rights of sex workers worldwide. We will examine each organization according to three aspects: 1. Objectives, 2. Achievements, and 3. Future goals.
1. Sex Worker Advocacy and Resistance Movement (SWARM)
A collective run by sex workers in the UK.
Twitter followers: 44,348
Objectives
SWARM advocates the decriminalization of sex work. Their core principles are equality, respect for human rights and justice. They fight against the stigmatization of sex workers both at social and legal levels. Their endeavors also include discussing political, economic and social issues related to prostitutes.
Achievements
The Sex Worker Advocacy and Resistance Movement has produced a series of successful campaigns. These have helped to engage lawmakers more deeply with the rights of sex workers and the legalization of prostitution in the UK. In this way, they managed to put the issue of sex workers’ rights at the center of political debates on several occasions. Besides that, during their measures, they placed a strong emphasis on building a community and strengthening solidarity. They continue to organize demonstrations, movements and meetings on a regular basis, during which they stand up for sex workers.
Future goals
SWARM’s future goals include the full decriminalization of sex work in the United Kingdom. In addition to their struggle for equality and respect for human rights, they also work to create an economic and political environment where prostitution is accepted and valued. They also want to continue to build their community so that they are even stronger and more visible in the political scene.
2. Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP)
NSWP is an organization that supports sex workers around the world.
Twitter followers: 28,508
Objectives
The organization aims to promote improvements in the rights and living conditions of sex workers, including workplace safety, access to health services, and legal protection and support. Furthermore, it advocates the abolition of laws that restrict prostitution and fights for the respect of the personal autonomy and freedoms of sex workers.
Achievements
The NSWP has launched a number of landmark campaigns over the years. Among these, the 2016 campaign entitled “We are also activists protecting human rights” generated the most attention. Its purpose was to present the plight of sex workers and emphasize the importance of protecting human rights. This campaign has led to significant progress in improving the legal situation of prostitutes. Also, the organization has succeeded in getting the legalization of sex work on the agenda in many countries. In addition to all this, the NSWP also held many movements, demonstrations and informative lectures in order to eliminate discrimination against sex workers.
Future goals
The future goals of the NSWP include the continued development of the rights of prostitutes and ensuring that a range of services and protection measures are available to make sex work safer. Furthermore, they plan to continue their activities to promote the introduction of regulations to decriminalize sex work, as well as to combat discrimination against prostitutes. In addition, the organization aims to improve the social situation of sex workers globally, to promote solidarity with them and to raise public awareness of the problems affecting sex workers.
3. Sex Workers Outreach Project USA (SWOP-USA)
SWOP-USA is an organization that provides various resources and other support to American sex workers.
Twitter followers: 27,357
Objectives
Their aim is to bring positive changes in the lives of sex workers, fight for their rights and act against the stigmatization they face. The group also actively participates in certain legislative activities and takes important steps to ensure that prostitutes can work in decent conditions in the States.
Achievements
SWOP-USA has been involved in a number of important legislative processes aimed at improving the rights of people working in the sex industry. They have also introduced the “Bad Date List”, a database where sex workers can report any dangerous or bad experiences they have had on the job. The organization’s campaigns and projects have also led to a number of successes in legalizing sex work in America, although full decriminalization still seems a distant goal. They continue to work on many projects, for which they also accept donations from enthusiastic supporters.
Future goals
SWOP-USA will continue to work to protect the rights of sex workers and improve the social perception of sex work through community outreach and education. In addition, they plan to continue to participate in legislative activities and protests until they achieve the same level of rights for prostitutes as other workers.
4. Scarlet Alliance
Scarlet Alliance is a national organization representing sex workers in Australia.
Twitter followers: 26,357
Objectives
The aim of the organization is to develop the rights of sex workers, improve their working conditions and deal with discrimination and injustice related to sex work. The Scarlet Alliance is also working hard to make sex work an accepted, legally regulated profession in Australia. They also take the involvement of prostitutes in their own affairs seriously: only active or former sex workers are allowed to sit on the organization’s board, ensuring that its activities truly reflect the needs of sex workers.
Achievements
The Scarlet Alliance has been actively involved in the legislative process in recent years and has put forward proposals to decriminalize sex work. Thanks to the advocacy work of the organization, prostitution is now considered legal work in many Australian states, and society’s attitude towards sex work has also changed in a positive direction. The Scarlet Alliance also runs a series of trainings, workshops and public meetings on topics such as workplace safety, health issues, legal problems and the protection of sex workers.
Future goals
The Scarlet Alliance will continue to represent the rights and interests of sex workers, further improve their working conditions and reduce discrimination in the industry. Their plans also include the complete decriminalization of sex work in Australia and the introduction of the necessary health and safety standards to protect prostitutes. In addition to this, the Scarlet Alliance will also strive to increase social acceptance and support for sex workers and to increase the visibility of prostitutes in the future.
5. English Collective of Prostitutes
The English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP) is a British organization fighting for the decriminalization of sex work.
Twitter followers: 20,030
Objectives
As one of the UK’s leading sex workers’ support groups, ECP’s activities include improving the legal status of sex workers and providing assistance to prostitutes. The organization’s mission is also to decriminalize sex work and create decent working conditions for those working in the sex industry.
Achievements
The ECP has a number of successful campaigns to its name that have contributed to the development of sex workers’ rights in the UK. One of the most notable of the organization’s successes was a victory in 1982, when the ECP was able to end police raids on prostitutes in Bristol. They also took part in shaping the laws and regulations governing sex work and made a significant contribution to the acceptance of sex work in the United Kingdom. Today, they continue to give regular awareness-raising lectures to promote the legalization of sex work.
Future goals
The English Collective of Prostitutes will continue to work to promote the decriminalization of sex work and to give prostitutes the same rights as other workers. In addition, the ECP plans to continue its efforts to change regulations to provide legal protection for sex workers and improve their job security. The ECP will also organize a number of campaigns in order to draw society’s attention to issues related to sex work and to improve the social situation of prostitutes.
6. Sex Workers Project
The Sex Workers Project (SWP) is an organization that has been working to strengthen the rights of sex workers for over two decades now.
Twitter followers: 14,575
Objectives
Their original mission is to support sex workers, especially to protect the most vulnerable, such as victims of human trafficking. The SWP was founded by the Urban Justice Center in New York City, and it provides excellent services to prostitutes, including legal counseling, social support and mental health services.
Achievements
Through more than 20 years of work, the SWP has achieved several significant achievements in the protection of sex workers and victims of human trafficking. On the one hand, they provided extensive legal support, including legal advice and court representation, and helped vulnerable people recover from the trauma of trafficking. On the other hand, SWP’s efforts and involvement in policy debates have led to the legal system of New York State making the problems of sex work and human trafficking, as well as the legalization of prostitution, a priority issue. Another great achievement of theirs is the production of their own documentary about the lives of sex workers.
Future goals
Future objectives of the SWP include increased support for sex workers and victims of trafficking. In addition, the SWP intends to remain actively involved in legal and political activities on the regulation of sex work and to support the full decriminalization of sex work. To strengthen these, they plan to expand their capacity and broaden their services.
7. Decrim NY
Decrim NY is a new type of organization working for sex workers in New York.
Twitter followers: 13,460
Objectives
Their goal is to fully legalize sex work and support the human rights of those who work as prostitutes. They organize public speaking engagements for sex workers, giving them the space to report on their experiences and generate changes that really promote their well-being. The organization also aims to abolish laws and practices that criminalize and marginalize sex workers.
Achievements
Although Decrim NY is a relatively new organization, it has already achieved a number of significant results. It is considered among the most important that they have been able to organize events that have given sex workers a central place to voice their opinions and personal experiences directly to political leaders. This has significantly changed the way of thinking about the legal regulation of sex work and, in many cases, has had a positive effect on the decriminalization of sex work. They also achieved great results with their popular petitions, most of which were also launched in order to legalize prostitution.
Future goals
Decrim NY will continue to work for the full decriminalization of sex work in New York, and will continue to make efforts to ensure that the city government makes this issue a priority. In addition, Decrim NY will strive to increase the visibility of prostitutes in the communities and achieve that they can also participate in making political decisions that affect them.
8. DecrimNow
DecrimNow is a UK-based activist group fighting for the full legalization of sex work.
Twitter followers: 12,247
Objectives
DecrimNow believes that decriminalizing prostitution is the best way to protect the rights of sex workers and improve their safety. They think that forcing sex work underground will only endanger prostitutes and marginalize them in society.
Achievements
Members of DecrimNow have played an active role in campaigning against the Hostile Work Environment Ordinance, which criminalizes sex workers, and have urged the government to ensure proper labor rights for workers in the sector. With this step, DecrimNow has made a strong contribution to promoting the legalization of sex work. Since then, they have continued to monitor the debate on prostitution in the island nation and regularly organize lectures and workshops on the legalization of sex work and the rights of prostitutes.
Future goals
DecrimNow will continue to fight for the full decriminalization of sex work in the UK and will strive to create equal working conditions for prostitutes. Their future plans also include putting more pressure on the government and lawmakers to pass regulations that benefit prostitutes, and building an even bigger community for sex workers and their supporters. In addition, they plan to carry out attitude-forming work in order to make sex work more acceptable in our society.
9. Red Umbrella Project
The Red Umbrella Project (RedUP) is an American organization that takes a strong stand for the rights of sex workers.
Twitter followers: 5,203
Objectives
The red umbrella emblem of the organization has become a global symbol. Their motto is: “Sex is work. We need safety, not rescue operations”. The aim of RedUP is to improve the rights of sex workers, change social attitudes, and combat violence and discrimination against people engaged in prostitution.
Achievements
RedUP has already implemented many successful projects. They have been instrumental in passing laws that have improved the rights of sex workers, including rights to decent wages, workplace safety and access to health care. These achievements have helped bring sex work one step closer to full legalization. They also regularly hold information presentations and webinars on the subject.
Future goals
RedUP will continue to strive to strengthen the rights of prostitutes and to fully legalize sex work. It also plans to run campaigns that focus on dispelling misconceptions about sex work in order to increase its acceptance in many countries. Finally, they plan to organize community-level support and training to improve the safety and quality of life of prostitutes.
10. International Union of Sex Workers (IUSW)
IUSW is a UK-based organization that campaigns for the rights of sex workers and the decriminalization of prostitution.
Twitter followers: 4.695
Objectives
The basic principle of the IUSW is that sex work is also work, so those engaged in prostitution should have the same rights and protections as all workers. IUSW also works to promote acceptance of sex workers and to combat discrimination against them.
Achievements
IUSW has achieved several important results over the years. It has helped to get the human rights issues related to sex work on the agenda in the United Kingdom, making a significant contribution to improving the legal position of sex workers in the future. In addition, with their attention-grabbing posts, they regularly campaigned for the legalization of prostitution, which made communities and legislators aware of the importance of this step.
Future goals
IUSW will continue to push for the full decriminalization of sex work. In addition, IUSW plans to step up the fight against violence and discrimination sex workers face, increase social acceptance of sex work and further improve the legal and social status of prostitutes.
11. African Sex Workers Alliance (ASWA)
The African Sex Workers Alliance (ASWA) is a cross-border organization for sex workers.
Twitter followers: 1,888
Objectives
ASWA’s mission is to focus on the rights of sex workers, decriminalize sex work, and promote social justice. ASWA also works to train prostitutes. They want to educate and properly inform them so that they can do their job safely. They are also engaged in political activism and campaign for the legalization of prostitution and the elimination of discrimination against sex workers.
Achievements
ASWA has brought significant changes to sex work in Africa. Through their activism, they have helped to organize and strengthen sex workers’ communities and improve their working conditions. ASWA has also played a role in making sex work a regular topic of discussion in African society and on political platforms. As a result, they managed to achieve decriminalization in several regions, which has had a positive impact on the legal status and living conditions of sex workers. The African Sex Workers Alliance continues to hold webinars on the topic.
Future goals
ASWA’s goal will continue to be to improve the rights, interests and living conditions of sex workers and to achieve the full legalization of prostitution in Africa. ASWA also plans to continue to be actively involved in influencing policy on sex work and to intensify its efforts to educate the sex worker community. ASWA members also hope to achieve a greater understanding of prostitution in African society.
Summary
These organizations work hard every day to strengthen the rights of sex workers and decriminalize sex work. It is up to each individual to decide how they feel about this issue, but it is certainly worthwhile to expand our knowledge. If you want to know more about the advantages and disadvantages of legalizing sex work, read our article “10 pro and con arguments for legalizing prostitution”.
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