Fold ✨zines✨ w/ me
This is my newest zine titled:
Save us from our “Saviors”: 53x Work and the Law
It follows the different legal models when referring to the adult industry. Currently, criminalization harms both consensual workers and victims of exploitation due to the lack of legal protections. When both victims of tr*fficking and S workers report ab*se to the police, this can lead to evictions, arrests, deportation, extortion or r*pe due to police power, authority and police discretion. Because of criminalization, police choose who they view as a victim deserving of resources and who is “deserving” of arrest/deportation.
Decriminalization gives both consensual workers and victims the legal recourse to report ab*se, exploitation, and tr*fficking without fear of arrest. By removing the legal penalties of buying and selling services, police no longer can use their discretion to wrongfully arrest victims of exploitation. Decriminalization allows to recognize the wide spectrum of how tr*fficking can appear and allow a larger range of victims to be able to receive justice. Decriminalization also is a start to destigmatizing the industry, allowing those who want to leave the industry to find other work without discrimination.
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Hey everyone! Following up on my zine, 'Save us from our "Saviors": Sex Work and the Law,' I wanted to dive a bit deeper into some aspects that really stood out to me while researching. When we talk about decriminalization of sex work, it's not just an abstract legal term; it has profound, real-world impacts. Many people confuse it with legalization, or even think it encourages exploitation, but that couldn't be further from the truth. One crucial point is how decriminalization empowers individuals. Think about it: if consensual sex work isn't criminalized, workers can report abuse, exploitation, or even trafficking without fear of arrest themselves. This dramatically shifts the power dynamic. Currently, under criminalization, police often have too much discretion, leading to situations where victims of abuse are hesitant to seek help because they might face legal repercussions, eviction, or even deportation. It creates a climate of fear that traffickers exploit. My zine really emphasizes how criminalization of prostitution effectively "traps workers to continue selling sex" by making it impossible to escape the system without facing further penalties. I also discovered a lot about the nuances of different legal models. For instance, the Swedish/Nordic Model, which criminalizes sex buyers but not sellers, often sounds progressive on the surface. However, as my zine points out, it can still lead to a two-tiered system and push sex work further underground, making it harder for workers to operate safely and report issues. It’s a form of "backdoor criminalization" that doesn't fully address the systemic issues. True decriminalization allows consenting adults to engage in sex work without legal penalties, creating a safer environment for everyone involved and enabling victims to get justice. What truly resonated with me is the idea that sex workers' rights are human rights. It's about recognizing individual autonomy and ensuring basic legal protections. Beyond just legal reform, decriminalization is a vital step towards destigmatizing the industry. This means individuals who want to exit sex work can do so without facing discrimination in other job markets, housing, or social services. It fosters an environment where people can make choices about their bodies and livelihoods free from fear and judgment. Making this zine, from the initial research to the final folding into a booklet, was a powerful experience. It really opened my eyes to how interconnected legal frameworks, human rights, and social perceptions are. I truly believe that by advocating for decriminalization, destigmatization, and decarceration, we can create a more just and equitable society for everyone.
