POWER joined sex workers, allies and advocates from Ottawa in recognizing December 17, the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.
The event was intimate and powerful. Willow’s drop-in facilitator, Kristen, lead the naming ceremony of sex workers who were murdered or are still today missing. Josh from MAX Ottawa reminded us of the importance of community as we continue to advocate for full decriminalization. Leah, chair for POWER, shared some powerful thoughts on the intersection of drug using and sex working communities.
Violence affects, mostly, those of us who are at the intersection of multiple marginalized lived experiences. Sex workers, drug users, Trans women, women of colour, and immigrant/refugees amongst others. We cannot end the marginalization and victimization of all sex workers without also fighting trans-phobia, racism, stigma and criminalization of drug use, and xenophobia.
We hope to continue supporting local work that raises the profile of violence, and fights to eradicate it, so that sex workers can live lives that are meaningful to them.
We wish to thank the organizers, Willow’s Drop-In and MAX Ottawa.
In Solidarity,
POWER