DigiActive.org

Digitally Active Org: The Sex Workers Project

Web site: www.sexworkersproject.org
What was it?: The Sex Workers Project, based in New York, has used technology in its mission to defend the rights of sex workers around the world. One of their goals is to remove a rule prohibiting organizations that work with prostitutes from receiving money from the PEPFAR AIDS prevention fund and the federal development agency USAID.
Where is it?: New York, USA
Tools: podcasts, digital video, blog, listservs, SMS

Here is more information about how The Sex Worker Project is using digital technology in its advocacy. The text in quotes is taken from the article Sex Work 2.0 by Juhu Thukral, Director of the Sex Worker Project.

When Randall Tobias, the Administrator of USAID, was caught in a scandal in which he patronized prostitutes, The Sex Worker Project used this as an opportunity to shed light on the hypocrisy of USAID, which discriminates against organizations which aid prostitutes by denying them federal funding.

Listservs

“Sex workers organized via listservs to have screening and education parties to watch media coverage, and they viewed online videos about the policy impact of Tobias’ work.”

Anonymous Blog: Bound But Not Gagged

“They also started a blog to talk about sex workers’ rights issues. Using this kind of technology, they were able to get their own voices out to the world without compromising confidentiality and safety.”

Digital Video

“We engage in street outreach with sex workers who are often not part of mainstream organizing efforts, including youth, immigrants, and transgender women. In addition to handing out legal rights cards, condoms, and lube, we have also started interviewing sex workers with digital recorders to get their thoughts on life, work, and the police.”

The Sex Worker Project also created a thirteen minute video to raise awareness of the limits of funding for organizations that work with prostitutes called Take the Pledge.

Podcasts

“We are putting the interviews [with sex works] on our website as a podcast, giving people a platform to speak on important issues while remaining anonymous.”

SMS

“Across the globe in India, some sex workers have begun to share information about police activity via texting. Though many may not have access to a computer or the Internet, cell phone technology is filling critical gaps in this kind of immediate and on-the-ground information sharing.

Dangers of Digital Activism

Yet online organizing can be dangerous for sex workers, as many listservs are watched by law enforcement officials. Sex workers who reveal their identities can be arrested. “Sex worker activists organizing online or through new technologies are better positioned to capitalize on political opportunities—however,” says Thukral, “it is critical that they remember to act with the same caution with which they approach their jobs.