December 17th is the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

In this episode of The Oldest Profession Podcast, host Kaytlin Bailey explores the significance of December 17th, which is the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. This day has been observed by sex worker advocates and allies worldwide since December 17, 2003. Originally conceived as a memorial for the victims of the Green River serial killer in Seattle, this event reignited the sex worker rights movement and has kept the movement alive for the last twenty years. 

In this episode, Kaytlin Bailey highlights the challenges faced by the sex worker rights movement in the 1990s and early 2000s, including violence, an increase in law and order policing, and the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. She pays tribute to Annie Sprinkle, an accomplished performance artist and sex worker rights advocate and Robin Few, one of the founders of SWOP USA, who both played a pivotal role in organizing the first International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.

This annual ritual hosted around the world on December 17th allows sex workers and their allies to gather, share their stories, and commemorate those who have lost their lives to violence. These events serve as a powerful reminder that sex workers are real people and deserve dignity, respect, and safety. We at Old Pros encourage listeners to attend or host a December 17th event to support the sex worker rights movement and create awareness about the violence faced by sex workers worldwide.

For more resources on this episode, please visit our website: https://oldprosonline.org/december-17-international-day-to-end-violence-against-sex-workers/

This episode was made possible through recurring tax deductible contributions from listeners like you. We’d also like to thank our Season 5 sponsors A Great Idea, New Moon Network, Kam, Mary Muse, and Tryst.link.

Original Music by Adra Boo

Music by Epidemic Sound

The Oldest Profession Podcast is produced by Old Pros, a non-profit media organization creating conditions to change the status of sex workers in society.

If you value our mission, please consider making a recurring contribution that you can commit to, and that we can count on. To learn more visit us at oldprosonline.org, which is also where you can get Old Pros t-shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and more. Of course, proceeds from our shop go to support Old Pros.