March 3 is International Sex Worker Rights Day. As we take a moment on this day to draw attention to the ongoing injustices and stigma faced by those in the industry, we commemorate the tireless efforts of sex workers and sex worker advocates, such as our partner SWOP Behind Bars. SWOP is a national social justice network dedicated to the fundamental human rights of sex workers and their communities, focusing on ending violence and stigma through education and advocacy. We began working with SWOP in 2022 and discovered a deep well of shared values. In 2023, Pornhub contributed $100,000 to the Community Support Line and Resource Directory. In 2024, we made another donation to continue funding the Support Line and help with operational costs.
Sex work is legitimate work. Misguided legislation and societal stigma that encourage negative attitudes about the value of people who work in the adult industry are the root cause of dangers experienced by these workers, such as physical harm and criminalization.
A patchwork of varying laws regulating sex work and prohibiting prostitution across the country, as well as competing definitions on what activities count as prostitution contribute to the incarceration of tens of thousands of people in the United States alone. The majority of those arrested being adults engaged in consensual, victimless activities.
To combat the injustices of stigma and criminalization, SWOP Behind Bars serves the sex work community directly in a variety of ways. Their outreach hotline has helped thousands of sex workers facing injustices. Additionally, SWOP Behind Bars also offers a resource directory, community-building for incarcerated sex workers, and re-entry services focused on housing, employment, and mental health care to those exiting the penal system.
In 2024, SWOP Behind Bars accepted more than 6,000 calls and chats on their hotline, they helped 2,100 incarcerated individuals meet their needs with customized amazon wish lists, they organized 4 national holiday greeting card events delivering 10,000+ pieces of mail, provided reentry services to 224 recently released individuals, and expanded their resource directory to 8 regions.
Their re-entry team is comprised of passionate individuals who are ready to provide sex workers with the support they need. Danielle R., a Re-entry Support Client, said, “SWOP Behind Bars understands what it means to be a survivor in this system. They don’t just offer resources – they offer hope, empowerment, and a community that stands with you. I’ll forever be grateful for their compassion and support.”
As we recognize the achievements and perseverance of sex workers and sex work advocates this International Sex Worker Rights Day, we continue to look toward the future and strategize to fight for change. In an age of ongoing censorship and misguided policies, sex worker rights continue to be attacked and stripped. Legislation aimed to protect sex trafficking victims and sex workers is not only often misconceived but also harmful to the very people the laws claim to protect. Restrictive policies, including those enforced on social media platforms, create risks for sex workers by pushing them further into the shadows, where they are more exposed to mistreatment.
You are never alone in this community. In addition to our partnership with SWOP Behind Bars, we have formed partnerships with resources like Pineapple Support, a free to use therapy center for all members of the sex work community, and The Cupcake Girls, a nonprofit organization that empowers sex workers and survivors of sex trafficking through resources and support.
If you would like to learn more about the current legislation and issues affecting sex workers, check out the Free Speech Coalition. You can also find resources on wellness for all genders and body types at our Sexual Wellness Center.
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