Ten Things You Can Do to Participate in the
International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

On December 17th, people around the world will be calling attention to hate crimes against sex workers, namely prostitutes, in the wake of serial killer Gary Ridgeway s dozens of murder victims. It s Sponsored by COYOTE and the SEX WORKER'S OUTREACH PROJECT. People have been asking me (Annie Sprinkle) for specific ways they can participate. Here are some of my suggestions and options. Or by all means, make up your own.

#1. Do something of personal meaning alone at home; take a ritual bath, or simply think about those who have died, light a candle, make a wish, have a cry, call a friend and discuss the topic, etc.

#2. Write a short personal quote or a statement about violence against sex workers and send to the SWOP web site (webmaster@swop-usa.org) for them to post.

#3. Send a donation to a nonprofit group that helps sex workers stay safer.

#4. Organize a public memorial event in your town. Or check the SWOP web site and see if there is something planned already. If not, choose a place, and time, where you can gather. Make an email letter and/or flyer and get it around with news of the event. Invite people to bring writings, stories, readings, thoughts, related news items, poems, performances, etc. Make a circle at the event. Take turns sharing. This will make for a wonderful memorial and be great for consciousness raising and outreach as well.

#5. Organize a panel discussion about violence towards sex workers. You can ask a church or other community space if you can do it there.

#6. Send news of this event to any and all press you know, so the word gets out that there are people who care about murdered sex workers, and who are concerned with the safety of sex workers out there today.

#7. Attend one of the events which is listed on the SWOP web site.

#8. If you know any sex workers, send them some information about self-defense.

#9. Send a personal email letter to people telling them how you feel about violence against sex workers and the women who were murdered by serial killer Gary Ridgeway. Or email this letter around.

#10. Read Daisy Anarchy's poem, click here, to yourself or to friends, or at one of the public events. Or email it around.