WOMEN WITH A VISION IS #PROHEAUX!

**This post is a CALL TO ACTION! Keep reading!**

We support all women workers! ICYMI from our last post, WE SUPPORT ALL SEX-WORKERS because #SexWorkIsWork!

We support sex workers in our day-to-day operations and we are so proud to have been able to raise funds from supporters and funders to provide sex worker relief over the course of the pandemic.

WE BELIEVE IN THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF SEX WORKERS because we know that this makes their work and their lives safer and because we know that it makes it much easier to see the difference between trafficking and work!

We know this because our work with sex workers is led by current and former sex workers who are part of our staff, leadership, and Sex Worker Advisory Committee!

We are currently working with @votelandry to decriminalize sex work in Louisiana via LA HB366. But we cannot achieve this until we are able to recognize that sex work is work and distinct from sex trafficking. SO, here's some mythbusting from @swop_usa :

"Myth: The sex trade is inherently harmful.
"Fact: Violence, mental and physical health risks, and marginalization are not inherent to the sex trade, any more than they are inherent to sexual identity or orientation.

"Stigma and criminalization are the root causes of harms directly related to sex work. These harms are compounded by intersecting oppression for large numbers of sex workers.

"Myth: Prostitution is violence against women (or gang rape, or slavery)

"Fact: Although violence, particularly against street workers, is common, most violence is perpetrated by non-clients, individuals who pose as clients, law enforcement officials, and a very small proportion of clients. The same goes for clients of indoor workers.

"While news reports frequently vilify clients of sex workers, even abolitionist organizations recognize diversity in what motivates clients to solicit prostitutes.

"In other words, the overwhelming majority of sex worker clients do not perpetrate violence against sex workers.

"And the central cause of violence is institutional alienation of sex workers from law enforcement protection and a justice system that leads most sex workers to distrust and fear law enforcement officials.

"Violent individuals do not fear repercussions and prey on sex workers in particular. Most interactions between sex workers and law enforcement involve arrest, and law enforcement and judicial system officials frequently ignore or doubt reports by sex workers.

"So sex workers either do not report sexual and physical assault to law enforcement or law enforcement officials do not sufficiently respond to complaints, and individuals remain free and continue to perpetrate crimes against sex workers."

This post is a #calltoaction! Stay tuned for more updates about LA HB366 and support the bill when it comes into session!