EU Anti-Trafficking Day: Learn How Sex Workers Help Combat Trafficking!

This content is also available as infographics - see below!

 

18th October is EU Anti-Trafficking Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about human trafficking and promoting the exchange of knowledge and best practices. Sex worker-led organisations play a vital role in the identification and referral of trafficked persons, as well as in preventing exploitation and trafficking. Many sex worker activists are themselves survivors of trafficking.

We call for recognition of the tireless work of sex worker organisations in preventing exploitation and trafficking and their meaningful inclusion in anti-trafficking policy-making.

 

Connected Struggles

The root causes of human trafficking are all too familiar to sex workers:

  • Systemic inequality, denial of social, economic, and cultural rights.
  • Stigma and discrimination.
  • Lack of access to justice, fear of the police.

These issues are even more severe for migrants. It is crucial to understand that trafficking doesn’t happen in a vacuum. The neoliberal economic system exacerbates social inequalities, creating vulnerable groups prone to exploitation and trafficking. With housing shortages, economic stagnation, and rampant inflation exacerbated by wars, more people are set to migrate and accept exploitative jobs to keep a roof over their heads and feed their families. Traffickers exploit this system, targeting those who are left vulnerable.

Addressing these structural problems would both reduce vulnerability to trafficking and help uphold the human rights of trafficked persons and sex workers alike. That’s why we share the same goals: more labour protection and rights for all!

 

An Essential Allyship

Trafficking in human beings is a crime with many faces. It occurs across a variety of industries and affects workers primarily in precarious industries or those with precarious residence status, as well as domestic scenarios. While sex workers stand in solidarity with all exploited and trafficked persons, they are uniquely positioned to prevent, detect, and identify human trafficking within their own industry.

Sex workers are experts—they can distinguish a good workplace from a bad one. They know what to look out for, what is normal, and what is concerning. They notice details that outsiders might miss. Those affected by trafficking for sexual purposes are more likely to open up to a sex worker; it is easier to confide in someone who also lives with the stigma.

This natural allyship has a long-standing tradition. Sex worker-led organisations, including ESWA, collaborate closely with leading anti-trafficking initiatives.

 

Criminalisation hurts us all!
Under legal frameworks that criminalise sex work, trafficked persons can be penalised as well. Official human rights bodies and leading civil society organisations recognise the need to include sex workers in the development of anti-trafficking policies.

 

Marking 30 Years of the Global Alliance Against Trafficking in Women

This year, ESWA is commemorating EU Anti-Trafficking Day at the GAATW International Member Congress in Bangkok, marking the 30th anniversary of GAATW.

For three decades, the Global Alliance Against Trafficking in Women (GAATW) has advocated for a human rights-based approach to trafficking, focusing on protecting the labour rights of migrant workers and ensuring safe migration pathways. The rights of sex workers are firmly on GAATW's agenda, recognising that their empowerment and the protection of their human rights are integral to combating trafficking and exploitation.

Meeting with organisations from all over the world reinforces the need to build solidarity and cooperation across continents and labour sectors. Workers' rights in the context of migration, the status of workers in the informal economy—including sex workers—and their protection at work are heard from all sides as key demands in the fight against exploitation and trafficking.

 

Further Reading: 

 

Trafficking 101

 

Tackling Trafficking under a Decriminalisation Model

 

Sex Work & Racism: Historical Overview of Racism in Anti-Sex Work, Anti-Trafficking and Anti-Immigration Legislation in Europe

 

Collateral Damages Of Anti-trafficking Laws And Measures On Sex Workers

 

Infographics

 

Feel free to share and use these as needed, also on social media! If you do so, please make sure to tag ESWA: 

Instagram: @sexworkeurope 

X: @sexworkeurope

Facebook: @ESWAlliance

LinkedIn: @ESWA1 

 

 

 

Let’s keep in touch

Subscribe to stay informed about new campaigns, policy briefings and resources, events and other activities you can get involved with.