The Sex Worker’s Outreach Project (SWOP) Pittsburgh is disappointed in the District Attorney Zappala’s response to the open letter we and several other organizations (including ACLU of Pennsylvania, Women's Law Project, #SurvivorsAgainstSESTA and Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania) opposing several practice that endanger the citizens of Allegheny County: 1.) police and prosecutors’ practice of citing condom possession as evidence of intent to engage in prostitution-related crimes, 2.) police seizure of condoms and other contraceptives, and 3.) the practice of adding the more severe possessing-instrument-of-crime (“PIC”) charges under 18 Pa.C.S. § 907 when defendants are charged with prostitution.
Illegal to Legal: SBB In Wayne County, PA
SBB In Wayne County PA M Dante SWOP Behind Bars (SBB) visiting Loose Leaf Pages, a bookshop and tea parlor, in Honesdale, Wayne County, PA discussing SWOP Behind Bars, Re/Entry for Women, FOSTA & SESTA, and DECRIM for Safety. M. Dante seen here with Bob Pelshaw’s book and workbook Illegal to Legal, a re/entry support guide for starting new legal business, along with a postcard for USPROS DECRIM for SAFETY. We thank the Libertarian caucus for inviting us to speak!
Stop SESTA/FOSTA
Hybrid FOSTA/SESTA Hinders Law Enforcement, Hurts Victims and Speakers | Center for Democracy & Technology
Today we trade fear for sanctuary
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner Inauguration: Today we start the long road towards empowering and protecting some of our most vulnerable witnesses and survivors: immigrants that lack legal status so that they like other vulnerable groups - young people, elderly people, sex workers - can participate in the criminal justice system that is there to protect them. Today we trade fear for sanctuary.
Re/Visiting The Invisible John Interview About Jane
The Invisible John Interview About Jane ORIGINAL POST ON SWOP PHL SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 Journalists ask the darndest questions then don’t publish the answers sex workers give them or purposely don’t share all viewpoints if the views don’t fit in with the desired angle of an expose. So – we’ve decided to publish an unpublished and unquoted requested dialog by a journalist who interviewed SWOP Philly’s M. Dante.
UUPLAN: Victims of Human Trafficking are not Criminals
UUPLAN's Anti-Mass Incarceration Team has agreed to support SB 554 - Safe Harbor in Human Trafficking. This bill would send minors who are victims of sex trafficking to treatment rather than prosecuting them. The bill was introduced by Senator Greenleaf and has passed the Senate (50-0). It has been referred to House Judiciary Committee which has not yet scheduled a hearing.
M Dante: I Support ESPLERP v Gascon
M. Dante explains why she supports ESPLERP v Gascon.
Just Say No To Nordic
According to the PHILADELPHIA DA case records - as of 2014 - the Nordic Model is charging more sex workers than "johns"!
Open Democracy: On Why Sex Workers Should Be Involved In Anti-Trafficking Efforts
Wendelijn Vollbehr is a sociology graduate of the VU University of Amsterdam. For her masterthesis she conducted qualitative research on sex worker-led organizations in collaboration with the Red Umbrella Fund. Her research interests are human rights, especially minority rights, marginalization and empowerment.
SWOP Behind Bars | Community for Incarcerated Sex Workers
“At SWOP Behind Bars (SBB), along with COYOTEri and ESPU-Philly, we know these are not easy situations to understand and to determine the right and wrong of — “, offers M. Dante, who believes: “Protecting our youth from punitive abuse is as essential as protecting them from predators.”
SWOP Behind Bars Will Be At “Beyond The Walls”
Through panels, presentations, and interactive workshops, the Summit explores innovative approaches to the health and reentry challenges facing our communities, brings relevant policy issues to the forefront, and provides attendees with the opportunity to become involved in local and national advocacy work. With a focus on community led responses to the crisis in the criminal justice system, workshops reflect the needs of prisoners and former prisoners and will highlight the work being done to improve conditions inside the prison walls and in the communities to which prisoners are returning. Registration Required for 6/28/2017
NJRUA: Revisiting A Discussion On Parenting & Prostitution
Stigma and social marginalization of sex workers will continue to give systems of power justification to use other laws to further harass and take advantage of a disenfranchised community. Discrimination in all its forms must be addressed for the full empowerment of the community.
🚨 Re/Entry Fundraiser: Amber Batts
AK Fundraiser: Help A Sex Worker With The Cost Of Re/Entry
Update on AK HB 112 / SB 73: Cops On Sexual Contact During Investigations
The Anchorage Police Department is fighting a pair of state bills that would criminalize cops who have “sexual contact” with people under investigation. The reason for the opposition, according to Deputy Chief Sean Case, is that there are “very, very limited” situations in which cops need to cross that boundary — specifically, when it comes to undercover investigations of sex workers. Article by Tracy Clark Flory for Vocative; supporting statistics from ISWFACE LA.
AK Action Alert
Alaska Action Alert: Stop Police From Having Sex With Prostitutes Before Arresting Them.
