Sex Workers around the world face are needlessly stigmatised by society – this makes more vulnerable than other communities to violence including extreme forms of violence and less likely to receive the support they need and deserve. Many feel less able to report these crimes either due to fear of being judged or not being believed by the police or outed to friends and family  which in itself is one of the reasons why sex workers are more vulnerable to violence. 

The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers was originally developed by the founder of the Sex Workers Outreach Project USA to make people aware of the “epidemic of violence” sex workers face. It began as a memorial for the victims of the Green River Killer in Seattle who murdered at least 71 women between 1982-1998, most of whom were sex workers. It has since grown into a day to unite sex workers rights organisations and charities around the word to raise awareness of Violence Against Sex workers to address stigma which can so often lead to violence. It’s also an important opportunity to remember the lives that have been lost due to violence towards sex workers and show solidarity and support to those who have been affected by violence.

Our 2023 Campaign…

You may be aware that typically in the month of December Basis run a campaign to raise awareness of Violence against Sex Workers through #17daysofaction leading up to Dec. 17^th. This year due to capacity reasons we are doing a limited campaign, focusing mainly on the day itself. As part of this we’ll be sharing pictures and pledges of partners, supporters, staff and volunteers on and around the day to raise awareness of the issue across our social media to raise awareness, show solidary and mourn those lost. We feature the red umbrella as its the most widely recognized symbol of sex workers’ rights. It was introduced by sex workers in Venice, Italy, in 2001, as part of the 49th Venice Biennale of Art.

If you’d like to be involved please email projectassistant@basisyorkshire.org.uk

We also encourage you all to share the social media messages from Basis Yorkshire and other organisations supporting sex workers including National Ugly Mugs and DecrimNow between now and the end of December but particularly on the day. If you are tweeting yourself the hashtag is #IDEVASW

Vigil 17th December 2023

Finally, we are unable to publicly share any arrangements for a vigil or memorial to remember the women we have lost in Leeds on the day itself; but if you are interested in attending please get in touch with the Basis office (info-basis@basisyorkshire.org.uk or 0113 – 242 0036) so we can share this with you.