WAVAW’s Stance on Sex Work
In July 2018, we published an apology to sex workers. After this, we put out a survey seeking feedback about the sexual assault service needs of the sex worker community.
We saw a clear distinction in the responses between people who have lived experience in sex work and those who do not. We choose to prioritize the feedback from folks who have had experience in sex work.
Time and time again, we heard from sex workers that we needed to reject the Nordic Model and adopt a decriminalization stance if we wanted to signal safety for sex workers.
To sex workers who gave us feedback, we heard you , and we are ready to be accountable.
WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre supports the decriminalization of sex work. We no longer support the Nordic Model .
WAVAW’s staff, Board Members, and volunteers stand behind this position.
Please note that we know there is a difference between sex work and trafficking. See here for more information on the distinction between the two.
We know the community will have questions about our service delivery and it’s accessibility and inclusivity for sex workers. Below, we’ve answered a list of frequently asked questions. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please email [email protected]
To survivors of sexualized violence, we are here for you.
Thank you to the community. Thank you for sharing your expertise and wisdom. We know it takes energy and work to share your input, and we value the time you’ve taken to share your thoughts and experiences with us.
With gratitude,
WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre staff, Board and volunteers
FAQS
1. What kind of support can sex workers expect to access from WAVAW? Do you offer any specific services to sex workers?
When you come to WAVAW, you can expect us to tell you what we tell all survivors of sexualized violence: you are not responsible for the sexualized violence you have experience.
As a WAVAW client, you will have access to Victim Services , one-to-one counselling, and support groups.
As of now, we do not have services specific to sex workers, but we do run a weekly support group at WISH Drop-In Centre.
2. What is WAVAW doing actively to reach out and connect with sex workers?
We’re hopeful that these external communications from our organization are reaching sex workers and letting you know that we are here for you.
We have invited sex workers and sex work organizations to WAVAW to conduct workshops for our staff, Board Members, and volunteers. We have also updated our volunteer training workshop to reflect our new stance, and hope that this will invite sex workers to join our volunteer pool.
We will continue to seek partnerships and trainings from experts in the community.
3. Are there sex workers working at WAVAW?
We haven’t asked our staff to disclose whether they are or have been sex workers, and no one on our current staff team has disclosed.
As of now, we don’t have any affirmative hiring practices for sex workers. We are, however, having ongoing conversations about how to enact this in hiring for staff, Board Members, and volunteers.
4. What kind of training or experience do WAVAW staff and volunteers have around supporting sex workers?
WAVAW staff bring a multiplicity of lived and work experience to their work at our organization. In addition, we have partnered with local organizations who are experts in providing services to sex workers to conduct trainings and workshops with our staff. These trainings are going to continue and be provided to any new staff at WAVAW as well.
All of our staff believe in the decriminalization of sex work, and this view informs their work.
5. If I have experienced violence on the job as a sex worker, will WAVAW tell me to or require me to exit the industry in order to access services?
No. WAVAW believes that survivors are experts of their own experience. This means that we will support you to pursue the path to healing that you choose.
6. Now that WAVAW has taken a decriminalization stance, will WAVAW support me if I wanted to exit the industry?
Yes. WAVAW believes that survivors are experts of their own experience. This means that we will support you to pursue the path to healing that you choose.
7. If I had a negative experience in the sex industry and don’t identify as a “sex worker”, will WAVAW support me?
Yes. You are the expert of your experience. We will never try to define your experience for you. We will support you to access healing and justice in the way that you choose.
8. Does WAVAW’s decriminalization stance mean that you are okay with human trafficking?
We understand that trafficking is different than sex work. We never condone human trafficking. Please see here for a resource that outlines the difference between sex work and human trafficking.
9. Will you only provide support to sex workers who have a positive view of sex work?
No. We provide support to survivors of sexualized violence, regardless of how they feel about what they do for work.
10. If I want to access the Sexual Assault Service at Vancouver General Hospital and be accompanied by WAVAW, will the police be called?
No. Survivors have the right to choose their own path to healing and justice. This means that you are the only person who has a say in whether or not the police are called.
Hospital staff and WAVAW staff will never report you to the police because of your occupation.
- On October 31, 2018