Violence against sex workers.

[lightningandsnow]

Another issue frequently ignored by the mainstream media.

http://www.straight.com/article-133015/sex-work-activist-calls-for-moratorium

Laws against sex work do nothing to stop it from happening - they simply make life harder for sex workers, and open them up to a lot of violence.

Here's a list of crimes that have been committed against sex workers in the last few years, in my city alone. It's simply heartbreaking.

http://www.spoc.ca/bad.html

None of these got in the press.

[lildreamer316]

1. THANK YOU. Thank you thank you.

I am an adult entertainer. So often, the laws are stacked against us in almost every way.
I hope that someday things will change, but our profession is one of the last to get any respect or attention.
We do have a union in some states in the west, but it does not have much, if any, success at all, and I can certainly understand why. I actually have much more freedom as an indepenent contractor, than when I am a paid employee, but either way, we are usually at the mercy of the whims of management and owners.
No one ever believes us when we cry sexual harrassment...we are laughed at.
It's the trade-off for the chance to make the kind of money that we can make...basically,no protection by the law,and often, our children are taken away because we are deemed 'unfit' because of what we choose to do for a living.

[ORDagnabbit]

2. hmnmm maybe getting a different job? education? anything other than selling your flesh?

I mean come on next you're going to be unionizing meth dealers

get counseling and get out of the sex trade and the violence will end.

[lightningandsnow]

3. Are you fricking kidding me?

Uhh... sex workers are not harming anybody. Meth dealers are.

You're coming off as very judgemental right now. Who died and made you supreme moral authority?

[blondeatlast]

4. Get counseling? I know well-psid prostitutes of both sexes and

LOTS of dancers. They all enjoy the work and have the healthiest attitudes towards sex as I've ever seen.

If you find it offensive, it's very easy to avoid it. Maybe they aren't the ones who need counseling, ya think?

[ORDagnabbit]

5. re-read what I said and please tell me where I said I find it offensive?

a bit touchy are we?

the sex trade for the most part is a violent profession run off of the backs (pun intended) of the underprivledged and easily used sections of our society.

[lightningandsnow]

6. You really have to question, why is it violent?

I'd say because it's being forced underground.

In Canada, the "communicating" law fobids sex workers to talk about a transaction in public. This doesn't allow them to get to know their clients before they're in a non-public place together (sex worker's home, or whatever). This puts them in a lot of danger.

Also, there are plenty of sex workers who are consenting adults, and were not lured or forced into their job.

[blondeatlast]

8. ...

:thumbsup:

[blondeatlast]

7. You" as in the royal "you." But your analogy to meth dealers was

way off-base.

Yes, there are those who are victimized by it and legalizing and licensing it will go a long way to ending that. I applaud efforts for them to get out of their victimization.

But you painted with a VERY broad brush there.

[shance]

16. I know very few people who "enjoy" prostitution. They do it because they have no other alternative.

Many individuals often can't get other work for a myriad of reasons.

Often young runaway girls and boys wind up in the sex market. Its anything but glamorous.

The injuries and health problems are a whole other issue, because most prostitutes don't have health insurance.

[lightningandsnow]

17. Check out the SPOC website.

I'm not a sex worker, so I can't really speak for them.

Situations like you mentioned do happen, however, they are not always the case.

I would really check out the website if I were you. I think they do a fine job of speaking for themselves.

[lildreamer316]

9. ..and thank you for assuming you know ANYTHING about me!!

I am a stripper.
I CHOSE to be one, and still do.
I have a college education, although not complete,by my own choice - clearly made, without drugs or duress.
I love my job...and it, at the moment, has at least the same amount, if not MORE, security than some of my friends with degrees and the 'normal' jobs.
You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, nor do you have any idea what people in the sex industry are about. There are many different kinds of people in these grouped professions, for many different reasons.
We have the freedom to make a living in a way that we choose...or do you think that freedom should be limited?
There is so very very much more to this than meets the eye, and a quick, snap judgement does injustice to yourself and to all of us.
Why don't you try educating yourself first?

[ORDagnabbit]

10. and why dont you re-read and ask yourself did I just assume I know who ordagnabbit is?

I could have been married to a sex worker for all you know heck..I could run my store for all you know.

you write as if you are very young....you'll learn. just remember...counselors are your friends.

[MarkInLA]

12. Your comments come across as highly ignorant

And what's with equating meth dealers with sex workers? That's the same type of attitude that equates same-sex marriage with beastiality. You must be a fan of Rick Santorum's.

If anyone needs counseling, I think it's you. You need to address your judgemental views about things you don't understand.

"Get out of the sex trade and the violence will end." Huh? Most independent sex workers have no problems at all. The women who have to deal with violence and abuse are the ones who can't just "get out" of it.

Please open your damn mind. How many happy and successful sex workers did you bother to talk to before making your judgements?

[MarkInLA]

11. I was a sex worker for many years

For the most part, I enjoyed it and learned more about myself and about human behavior than I ever could have learned sitting in a classroom.

Most Americans are very immature in the area of human sexuality. Example: Lots of people still snicker when they hear Monica Lewinsky jokes. I just shake my head and feel sorry for them.

[hunter]

13. They just convicted that guy who killed prostitutes in Britain.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/suffolk/7256402.stm

Our society has trained us well to blame the victims. Poor, sick, hungry, drug addicted, mentally ill? It's not a problem of society, it's the problem of an individual who wasn't strong.

[lightningandsnow]

14. Sad.

And the really sad part is that case is not unique.

There are a lot of serial killers who prey on sex workers.

[lightningandsnow]

15. Kicking....