Sex workers experience the worst health outcomes globally, with escalating rates of violence, HIV infection and premature mortality worldwide. Unfortunately recent history has shown that all too often moral debates dominate the public health response in sex work, and science continues to take a backseat to punitive approaches aimed at eliminating sex work and “rescue” operations. This is despite the ample evidence of the failures of criminalization in preventing harms among sex workers both locally and internationally, and the inadvertent role of these policies and enforcement-based approaches in exacerbating violence and poor health among sex workers. Growing evidence points to the need for global accountability by policy makers, governments, scientists, and international bodies to public health efforts that redress the health inequity gaps among some of the most marginalized individuals.
Reception: 5:00 pm
Lecture: 6:00 pm
Presenter: Dr. Kate Shannon