2022 SWP Fact Sheet

• Sex workers are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence at work. Sex workers of color, migrant sex workers, transgender sex workers experience even greater risk of sexual violence and assault.
• There are very limited options to report the violence, and sex workers are reluctant to go to the police because of potential arrest or further assault.
• According to a systematic review of research, globally, sex workers have a 45% to 75% chance of experiencing sexual violence on the job.


2021 International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers Memorial List

This Friday, December 17, 2021, SWOP Behind Bars joins sx workers, allies and advocates from around the world in recognizing International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. As we come together to remember those lost, we renew our commitment to the ongoing struggle for empowerment, visibility, and rights for all people who trade sex. For nearly two decades our community members have dedicated many months, meticulous care and endless anxiety each year to the collection and creation of the annual memorial list. Each year, the search for names, dates, locations, cause and circumstances of each life and death, reminds us that one day our own names will be on this list.

IDTEVASW in Philadelphia Free Press 2018

We, as one global community renew our commitment to solidarity on December 17,” said Melanie Dante, former sex worker who was one of the organizers at the Philadelphia events this year. "December 17 Events aim to raise outrage at violence against sex workers and strengthen sex worker communities and responses to the systematic, daily violence and exclusion sex workers experience.”