Sex Worker Solidarity Statement

As part of Arika’s beliefs and specifically in conjunction with our Local Organising programme we want to extend solidarity to sex workers via the following statement. Those most directly affected by a specific oppression are those best placed to develop methods to overcome it. Sex worker led organisations in the UK have consistently sought:

• Decriminalisation of sex work
• Unionisation of the sex work industry
• Recognition that sex work is work (like other all work it can bring both fulfillment and suffering dependent upon circumstances)
• An end to the social stigma connected to sex work

We support all of these aims. We are clear that change on a profound level is necessary for this to occur that would entail the end of patriarchy, capitalism and white supremacy. This would involve collective re-organisation of society on a mass level and equitable redistribution of resources and decision-making powers.

The process of struggling for these changes – both long term and immediate – is complex and takes place in challenging circumstances. We recognise that the people best placed to develop effective strategies and guiding visions are those with lived experience of the industry.  We know that these approaches and ideas are in a constantly evolving process – our aim is to be alongside this process in solidarity as best we can, not to shape it.