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Sex Work - COVID-19 | Guidlines for Sex Workers, Clients, Third Parties, and Allies

31 March 2020

This guideline is issued by Butterfly Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Networkand and Maggie's Toronto Sex Workers Action Project, in the COVID-19 pandemic circumsances*, and includes recommendations for sex workers, clients, third parties, and supporters. The translation is adapted by the Women's Initiatives Support Group.

"We recognize that many sex workers will need to go about their business as usual. That is the reality of surviving in a capitalist society while enduring criminalization and stigmatization. In-person sex work should be a last resort at this time, and those who can refrain from in-person sex working should do so immediately. We recommend alternative service arrangements such as Skype, phone or text sessions, if possible. But we also recognize that these options are not feasible for all sex workers, due to privacy and safety concerns, and inaccessibility to specific resources and technology.

This document follows a harm reduction approach, offering guidelines from various sources to help lower the risk of contact and transmission to those who must continue in-person sex working. Knowing that each sex worker’s work is unique, we encourage each of our community members to know how transmission occurs, how that fits with your individual work, and what decisions can be made for your specific situation to reduce as many risks as possible for yourself and others.

We have also included guidelines for clients, third parties, allies, and healthcare providers on how to best support sex workers during this time."

You can find the guideline at: https://www.drugpolicy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/03.19.20-Sex-Work-and-COVID-19-2.pdf

Sex Work - COVID-19 | Guidlines for Sex Workers, Clients, Third Parties, and Allies

*Facing state of emergency conditions and total neglect of Trans and Queer community's social needs from the government, amid COVID-19 pandemic, trans activists and citizens have mobilized Transgender Solidarity Group.

You can donate to the group on the following bank accounts:

BOG: GE10BG0000000131421565

TBC: GE67TB7937145063600042

Receiver: Nikolo Ghviniashvili