In the effort to combat actual trafficking, when this blog began, we (those in criminal justice positioning and those with lived experience in the sx trade) were all new to learning the best ways to meet each other at a shared point of understanding to work together in combatting disparities in equity and trafficking. This blog is a ten year time capsule from that journey.
Without YOUR voice working with us OUR voice simply is not heard. Without OUR voice YOUR efforts are not authentic justice.
Misinformation about trafficking [spread] quickly because data collection methods [were – and] are – inconsistent and not completely accurate. Polaris, the nonprofit organization that operated the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, reported over twenty-two thousand cases [between 2007-2017]. However, data was mined solely from calls, emails, and web submissions. Most reports [coming] from “community members” — not victims, their families, or caseworkers. “The Work in Sex Work” Hennessy Williams JACOBINMAG
In the 2015 Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights, the State Department affirmed the 2010 United Nations Recommendation #86, stating, “We agree that no one should face violence or discrimination in access to public services based on sexual orientation or their status as a person in prostitution,” and we call upon the States to do likewise. There are numerous instances of state laws and regulations that still discriminate against our community (ESPLER Project Policy Agenda).
“Leave safety behind. Put your body on the line. Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind — even if your voice shakes. When you least expect it, someone may actually listen to what you have to say…” – Maggie Kuhn, Activist.
2016 – 2021 Goals Achieved:
- Community and allies came together annually for D/17 where we shared in acknowledging victims of sex work-specific violence and murder. See: http://www.dec17philly.com for archive.
- Challenged the stigma that perpetuates barriers and prevents access to necessary support and medical services.
- Created lasting victim inclusive conversations to bridge divides and collaborate towards community-focused solutions.
- Connected with compassionate, concerned, and courageous congressional representatives, policy professionals, legal advocates; plus engaged with creative and educational outreach projects supporting worker and survivor inclusion.
- Worked towards cultivating more mindful and effective inner community relationships. Sex workers and trade survivors often sabotage each other as much as the external barriers faced.
Moving beyond the original goals set:
- 2016-2025 With SWOP Behind Bars (SBBi) implementing mutual aid and case management, alongside policy and educational presentations.
- Since 2020 cultivating case management, collecting victim narratives by direct requests, plus collaborating on program and training development for clinicians and support professionals.
So – Why? Why do this?
Originally – back in 1999 when I began my BA senior study – I wanted to contribute dialogue to “right the wrongs” I witnessed and experienced myself as a migrant worker. In 2003 that research narrative was completed, and basically shelved due to minimal interest on the topic of prostitution, consensual sx work and trafficking.
In 2014 at the Anchorage, Alaska International Day To End Violence Against Sex Workers in alliance with Community United for Safety & Protection (CUSP) and The ESPLER Project, I was invited to – and chose to – publicly “Come Out Under The Red Umbrella”. Since then I have been participating in the public discourse on survival sx, sx work, and sx trafficking.
This WordPress, along with a December 17th memorial site, began in 2016. Now as we approach 2026, I am stepping away, though leaving the archive intact with the hope the content is helpful to the evolving discussions.
In the effort to combat actual trafficking, we are all new to learning the best ways to meet each other at a shared point of understanding to work together.
Crossroads Women’s Center Philadelphia with USPros Rachel West visiting from SF.
The way to right WRONGS is to shine the light of TRUTH upon them.
– Ida B. Wells, African American Journalist
Worker Survivor Community Archive 
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