Research on harms of anti-trafficking initiatives |
migrant sex worker justice and the Troubles with Anti-Trafficking |
SHIFTING THE FRAME TO JUSTICE-BASED APPROACHES TO MIGRANT SEX WORK
We are currently awash in a sea of sensationalist misinformation about the realities of migrants in the sex trade—misinformation that informs legal and social politics. Rarely do we hear the voices of migrant sex workers themselves or unbiased evidence-based research.
In May 2015, The Migrant Sex Workers Project hosted an evening of discussion, research and story sharing from migrant sex workers. This report summarizes the findings and stories of that evening. We hope this report helps us to make more informed decisions and to demand safety and dignity for all sex workers regardless of immigration status.
We are currently awash in a sea of sensationalist misinformation about the realities of migrants in the sex trade—misinformation that informs legal and social politics. Rarely do we hear the voices of migrant sex workers themselves or unbiased evidence-based research.
In May 2015, The Migrant Sex Workers Project hosted an evening of discussion, research and story sharing from migrant sex workers. This report summarizes the findings and stories of that evening. We hope this report helps us to make more informed decisions and to demand safety and dignity for all sex workers regardless of immigration status.
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Pt 1 - Intro
Pt 4 - Naomi Sayers
Pt 7 - Anonymous
Pt 9 - Elene Lam(2)
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Pt 2 - Alvis Choi
Pt 5 - Alison Clancey
Pt 8 -Tzazna Miranda Leal
Pt 10 - Chanelle Gallant
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Pt 3 - Kamala Kampadoo
Pt 6 - Kate Zen
P t 9 - Elene Lam(1)
Elene Lam - May Day 2015
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butterfly voices
Butterfly is a newly formed Asian and migrant sex workers network which the MSWP supports and works with.
Butterfly Voices is a collective art project that showcases he voices of migrant sex workers who are often silenced because of the lack of understanding and stigma in society. There are many myths and folklore about butterflies in different traditions and cultures all over the world. All of which speak to transformation. Some talk about butterflies’ migration out of survival. Butterfly voices answer the following questions based on the myth that butterflies make dreams come true:
1) What wishes would you whisper to a butterfly to make them come true?
2) What is empowering about being a migrant sex worker? How does sex work help you achieve your dream?
3) How do migrant sex workers contribute to the society, clients, and your community?
Like butterflies, migration can be cross-continent, cross-country, or "internal" within state borders. We support folks to move away from the state definition of "migrant" and define the word on your own terms. Acknowledging the displacement of Indigenous communities, we encourage Aboriginal sex workers to submit as well should this call speaks to them.
A legend about butterflies:
They are silenced. But if you gently capture a butterfly,
whisper a wish to it and then let it go, your wish will come true.
Butterfly Voices is a collective art project that showcases he voices of migrant sex workers who are often silenced because of the lack of understanding and stigma in society. There are many myths and folklore about butterflies in different traditions and cultures all over the world. All of which speak to transformation. Some talk about butterflies’ migration out of survival. Butterfly voices answer the following questions based on the myth that butterflies make dreams come true:
1) What wishes would you whisper to a butterfly to make them come true?
2) What is empowering about being a migrant sex worker? How does sex work help you achieve your dream?
3) How do migrant sex workers contribute to the society, clients, and your community?
Like butterflies, migration can be cross-continent, cross-country, or "internal" within state borders. We support folks to move away from the state definition of "migrant" and define the word on your own terms. Acknowledging the displacement of Indigenous communities, we encourage Aboriginal sex workers to submit as well should this call speaks to them.
A legend about butterflies:
They are silenced. But if you gently capture a butterfly,
whisper a wish to it and then let it go, your wish will come true.
CELEBRATION OF SEX WORK SOLIDARITY
The Migrant Sex Worker Project presented a popular education style skit at the June 13 day of action to teach people about the everyday realities of migrant sex workers working in cities and dealing with the dangers of municipal licensing, the police, immigration enforcement and Christian saviours.
The June 13 event "Celebration of Sex Worker Solidarity" is an annual event that takes place across the country in support of sex worker rights and decriminalization.
For reasons of privacy no pictures were taken of the skit but these are from our supporters
The June 13 event "Celebration of Sex Worker Solidarity" is an annual event that takes place across the country in support of sex worker rights and decriminalization.
For reasons of privacy no pictures were taken of the skit but these are from our supporters
