Fundraiser for PEERS

Press Release: DEC. 17 SEX WORKERS AND THEIR ALLIES MARCH TO END VIOLENCE

PEERS Victoria Resource Society
1-744 Fairview Road
www.peers.bc.ca

Contact: Tracie Fawkes
Tel.: 250.891.7133
Email:
Contact: Marion Little, Executive Director PEERS
Tel: 250.388.5325 ext. 104
Email:

DEC. 17 SEX WORKERS AND THEIR ALLIES MARCH TO END VIOLENCE

Join sex workers and their family, friends, and supporters in a candlelight march to say violence against sex workers must stop now! Together, we will stand for autonomy, dignity, and the freedom to work in safety with equal access to justice. The event is organized by sex workers and allies as well as by PEERS and the UVSS Women’s Centre. It will start at the Legislative Grounds at 6:00pm on December 17 and we will march to AIDS Vancouver Island on 715 Johnson Street. A broad swath of Victoria’s community has participated in this event every year for the last 6 years in rain, sun, and snow.

December 17th is the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, also known as the Red Umbrella Day. On this day, we are calling for an end to discriminatory laws, policing, and social attitudes that increase exposure to many forms of violence and prevent sex workers from reporting violence and discrimination. The laws intersect with sexism, racism, and classism to perpetuate social stigma and create a cultural environment in which the violence perpetrated upon sex workers of all genders is seen as different from the violence perpetrated against others. It is urgent that sex workers have access to safe working conditions, legal recourse, health services, and “all human rights and civil liberties” (World Charter for Prostitutes’ Rights).

At this vibrant event, we will both honour the lives lost and celebrate our vital movement. The red umbrella is an international symbol of sex workers rights, please WEAR RED and bring your red umbrella to the rally and be a part of the movement!

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