International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, observed annually on December 17th, was established in 2003 by the Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP-USA) to honor the lives of sex workers who have been victims of violence. This day emerged as a response to the ongoing violence, often fueled by stigma, discrimination, and criminalisation, that sex workers face worldwide. This day is not only a memorial but also a powerful call to action, demanding justice, safety, and respect for sex workers. It highlights the urgent need to address the systemic inequalities that make sex workers vulnerable to violence and underscores the importance of decriminalisation, legal protection, and the dismantling of societal prejudices that contribute to their marginalisation.