17 Dec December 17th – International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers
The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers is celebrated every year on December 17th by the sex workers, their supporters, friends and organizations.
The initiative for the celebration of this day, that was marked for the first time in 2003, originates from Dr. Annie Sprinkle and the American organization for protection of the rights of sex workers SWOP-USA Sex Workers Outreach Project. After the murderer of sex workers was caught by the police, the need for the this event proposed by Sprinkle had the aim to give a louder voice to sex workers. For that occasion she made a statement in which she said: “I have the need to remind all of ourselves of my sisters-whores who lost their lives unnecessary and in great terror”.
Originally conceived as a memorial and vigil for the victims of the Green River Killer in Seattle, Washington, it has evolved into an annual international event.
The day calls attention to hate crimes committed against sex workers all over the globe as well as the need to remove the stigma and discrimination that is perpetuated by custom and prohibitionist laws that has made violence against sex-workers acceptable.
The attacks, the rapes and the murders of sex workers must stop. The stigma and the discrimination which comes from the prohibition law that make the violence seem allowed. That’s is why on this day all of the sex workers and their supporters all over the world are asked to join the event in opposition of the criminalization and the violence against our communities.