Advocacy is instrumental to achieving successful policy and legislative change. It allows us to be heard and to share our lived experiences to influence decision makers, elected officials and policy makers to adopt Equality Model legislation.
As long as there is prostitution, there will be sex trafficking. The system of prostitution has always preyed on the most marginalized populations everywhere in the world, especially women and girls. As inequality deepens and the demand for prostitution increases, so do the needs and numbers of prostitution survivors at a time when securing resources to support front-line and direct services organizations is chronically under-resourced. Therefore, we need to come together as survivors to take on the work of ending systems of prostitution through advocacy, changing cultural norms, and organizing for change.
Historically, policies and programs related to prostitution have often been developed without input from those most impacted. Advocacy creates platforms for survivors to lead and shape the narrative. Systems of prostitution are also deeply connected with the broader issues of racism, poverty, and inequality, to name just a few. Our advocacy efforts recognize these interconnections opposed to treating prostitution as an isolated issue, and therefore, are more effective at addressing these root causes. For example, addressing economic injustice and creating viable opportunities are critical preventive measures against exploitation.
Our Voices Matter
Advocacy is instrumental to achieving successful policy and legislative change. It allows us to be heard and to share our lived experiences to influence decision makers, elected officials and policy makers to adopt Equality Model legislation.
