MEDIA ALERT: December 13th, 2022

UCLA’s Global Lab for Research in Action Hosts a Discussion with Leading Sex Work Advocates, Activists and Researchers on #SaferSexWork & Decriminalization

WHAT: Instagram Live

WHEN: Friday, December 16, 2022; 9:30am PT / 12:30pm ET

WHAT: Visit Old Pros Instagram on Friday to join the IG Live discussion

WHO:

Kaytlin Bailey: Old Pros Founder & Executive Director, a non profit media organization creating the conditions to change the status of sex workers in society. Host of The Oldest Profession Podcast.

Dr. Manisha Shah: Professor and Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr Chair in Social Justice, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. Co-founder & Faculty Director, UCLA Global Lab for Research in Action.

Savannah Sly (Moderator): Executive Director of New Moon Fund, an organization dedicated to securing rights and opportunity for people in the sex trade. Advisory Board Member, UCLA Global Lab for Research in Action.

Why: In advance of International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers on December 17, UCLA’s Global Lab for Research in Action is hosting this discussion to publicize the Red Umbrella Campaign, a collaboration between advocacy organizations, activists, and researchers

The national social awareness campaign will advocate for #SaferSexWork and address the stigma that sex workers endure, while highlighting the structural barriers they face to living and working safely, including the criminalization of sex work itself. In this effort, the Red Umbrella Campaign aims to center sex workers and their voices as they advocate for the decriminalization of sex work.

December 17th is a day that honors the victims of the Green River Killer, who targeted sex workers and is the second most prolific serial killer in the United States.

The campaign will anonymously elevate the authentic voices of sex workers who currently live and work in the same area where these victims lived, along the Pacific Coast Highway in south King County, Washington.

The campaign will include content that provides context to their lives, alongside reputable research which highlights the failures that prevent sex workers from being safe.

“Decades of research from around the world shows that the criminalization of sex work is what makes the work fundamentally unsafe” says Janine N’jie David, co-founder and Deputy Director of UCLA’s Global Lab for Research in Action. “Sex work tends to be a taboo subject and public knowledge is understandably limited. But we shouldn’t allow our lack of understanding – or quite frankly, discomfort – prevent us from addressing policies that do more harm than good.”

As one individual shared who self identified as “a mother, wife, grandmother, and sex worker”, “I wish sex work was not illegal so there could be support for sex workers.”

Another shared, “I wish people didn’t judge us because of our jobs. I am a mother before anything else.”

The anonymity of those whose voices are amplified is protected by hand drawn, individualized illustrations based on photographs submitted.

ABOUT CO-COLLABORATORS

The Red Umbrella Campaign, led by UCLA’s Global Lab for Research in Action, is a collaboration between Aileen’s, Decriminalize Sex Work, New Moon Fund, Old Pros, the Woodhull Freedom Foundation, and individual researchers and activists.

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UCLA Global Lab for Research in Action studies critical social justice issues faced by hard-to-reach populations worldwide. But, our work does not stop where the research ends. We continue to translate our findings into more digestible formats and amplify the insights to deepen public understanding and promote evidence-based policy.

Aileen’s exists to enhance well-being and self-determination of women and others who engage in the sex trades in south King County, Washington and surrounding areas.

Decriminalize Sex Work‘s mission is to end the prohibition of consensual adult prostitution, and to improve policies relating to all forms of sex work.

New Moon Fund‘s mission is to secure rights and opportunity for people in the sex trade by building awareness, attracting resources and seeking to address highest priority needs toward community wellbeing.

Old Pros seeks the destigmatization of sex work, where it is not illegal or shameful for consenting adults to exchange erotic services for money or other resources.

Woodhull Freedom Foundation’s mission is to affirm sexual freedom as a fundamental human right.

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Media Contact

Janine N’jie David, co-founder & Deputy Director, UCLA’s Global Lab for Research in Action 

Email: jnd@luskin.ucla.edu

Phone: (310) 913 6229