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International Day To End Violence Against Sex Workers, December 17

There are events across Australia this December 17th. Check out below for what is going on in your city!

St Kilda, Victoria

• Hosted by RhED
• Wed 17th Dec 2:30pm-3:30pm
• Talbot Reserve, St Kilda
• Wear red & speak out against violence against sex workers!

Redfern, New South Wales

Join Scarlet Alliance and SWOP NSW in commemorating International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers in Sydney on Wednesday 17 December, 2014 7.00pm to 10.00pm at the Scarlet Alliance office.

• We will be having nibbles, speeches, music, performances and a candle light vigil.
• This event is open to all sex workers and supporters, including family and friends.
• Suite 9, 245 Chalmers St, Redfern NSW 2016, Australia

Adelaide, South Australia

Please join with sex workers around the world and stand against criminalisation and violence committed against us

Our friends and allies are invited to acknowledge December 17th by getting involved in our campaign for decriminalisation. Come along to an afternoon of information sharing and opportunities for direct action.

Since 2003, International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers (Dec 17) has seen sex worker communities and social justice organisations stage actions, vigils and events to raise awareness about violence that is commonly committed against sex workers. As you are probably aware the continued criminalisation and policing of sex work and the state sanctioned, publicly accepted stigma and discrimination against us contributes to us being seen as easy targets, hinders our use of safety strategies and creates barriers seeking justice as victims of crime. The assault, battery, rape and murder of sex workers must end. The stigma, discrimination and criminalisation that makes us vulnerable and makes violence against us acceptable must end.

The afternoon will include:

• An update of the campaign so far
• Information about the proposed bill
• Afternoon Tea
• Time to brainstorm, workshop and plan for the next stages of the campaign
• Opportunities for immediate action
• RSVP: manager @ sin.org.au

More about December 17th The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers was first recognised in 2003 as a memorial and vigil for the victims of Gary Ridgeway, also known as the Green River Killer in Seattle Washington. Ridgeway was found guilty of murdering 49 women and is linked to the murders of up to 70, most of them were sex workers. In a statement to police Ridgeway said that he hated prostitutes and chose them as victims because their disappearances might not be noticed at first, that no one would care in fact he hoped it would be seen as a community service and he assumed police would not look as hard for them as they might for other women.

This page was updated 16 December 2014