Global Sex Workers: Rights and Resistance

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Questions and Answers

What was signaled by the implicit distinction between forced and non-forced prostitution recognized by international agreements?

  • A change in the international community's view on prostitution. (correct)
  • An endorsement of all forms of prostitution.
  • A rejection of the notion of sex work as a legitimate choice.
  • A focus solely on the economic aspects of sex work.

Which statement accurately reflects the criticism surrounding the campaigns against forced prostitution?

  • They often link various forms of sex work negatively without distinction. (correct)
  • They have successfully improved the rights of all sex workers.
  • They primarily focus on the economic benefits of sex work.
  • They address the nuances of voluntary sex work in depth.

What does the concept of self-determination in the context of sex work imply?

  • Sex workers should be treated as innocent victims regardless of their choices.
  • Sex workers have the right to make autonomous choices about their work. (correct)
  • Sex work should be completely eradicated for moral reasons.
  • Sex workers should only engage in commercial sex under strict regulations.

How is the portrayal of forced prostitution commonly viewed in societal narratives?

<p>As a matter of coerced innocence, largely shaped by cultural myths. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What misconception does the campaign against forced and child prostitution often reinforce?

<p>That all sex work is inherently exploitative and abusive. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What impact does the moral condemnation of sex work have on the perceived rights of sex workers?

<p>It often overshadows the discourse on voluntary sex workers' rights. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant consequence of the focus on forced prostitution in anti-trafficking campaigns?

<p>A continuous reinforcement of the victims narrative that overshadows other realities. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How has the international community's view on women's rights evolved according to recent declarations?

<p>There is a growing recognition that women's rights are human rights. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a key outcome of the lobbying efforts at the 1995 United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women regarding prostitution?

<p>The inclusion of 'forced' before any mention of prostitution in the conference document. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which feminist activist is noted for bringing attention to the issue of the 'white slave trade'?

<p>Josephine Butler (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the repeal movement's perspective on prostitutes reflect a paradox in feminists' attitudes towards them?

<p>The repeal movement considered prostitutes as both allies and victims. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant distinction does the text highlight regarding personal agency in sex work?

<p>The division of sex work into purely voluntary or forced categories impacts self-determination. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary aim of the feminist campaign led by Josephine Butler against the Contagious Diseases Acts?

<p>To repeal laws threatening women's civil liberties. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect did the early international focus on prostitution have on women's rights?

<p>It encouraged increased governmental oversight of sexuality. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the implication of the forced vs. voluntary prostitution debate in the context of self-determination?

<p>It complicates the conversation around sex workers’ rights and autonomy. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of the feminist campaign after the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts?

<p>Society's perception of prostitution shifted to repressive measures. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What determines whether a victim is categorized as a victim of voluntary or forced prostitution?

<p>The innocence of the victim (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which term is commonly used to describe how women are misled into prostitution?

<p>Tricked (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion do reports on trafficking often emphasize regarding women's choices?

<p>Women are often forced into prostitution through deceptive means (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of conditions in sex work do reports suggest are the primary issues for those in the sex-industry?

<p>Slavery-like conditions for those who have migrated (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which entities concluded that the image of the trafficking victim may be exaggerated?

<p>GAATW and STV (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What societal perspective is critiqued for influencing modern campaigns against prostitution?

<p>Rigid sexual morality and paternalism (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of the sex industry does the content align with regarding human rights violations?

<p>Prostitutes facing significant human rights violations (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do the notions of 'debt-bondage' and 'slavery-like conditions' relate to the sex industry?

<p>They primarily affect those already engaged in sex work (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Declaration on Violence Against Women

Standard used to judge international community's actions regarding violence against women.

Implicit distinction between forced & non-forced prostitution

International community acknowledges a difference between forced and non-forced prostitution, showing a changing view of prostitution.

Sex worker rights & self-determination

Recognition of the right of sex workers to make their own decisions about their work.

Forced vs. free prostitution

A critical distinction in recognizing the types of prostitution, where one is coerced.

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Anti-trafficking campaigns

Campaigns that often conflate all sex work with forced/exploitative practices.

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Forced prostitution

Prostitution where the individual is coerced or forced into it.

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Innocent victim myth

A common belief that victims of forced prostitution are always naive and tricked.

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International community's actions

Organizations' approaches to sex work and forced prostitution – often more focused on condemnation than promotion of workers' rights.

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Forced Prostitution Distinction

A categorization of prostitution as either "forced" or "voluntary" in international discourse, replacing the abolitionist viewpoint.

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Sex Workers' Rights

The rights and freedoms that sex workers are entitled to, often seen in conflict with laws.

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International Politics of Prostitution

The ways in which governmental or international actions affect sex work.

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19th-century Feminist Activism

Feminist activism during the 1800s, that often focused on issues like "white slave trade" and efforts to reform laws regarding women and sex work.

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Contagious Diseases Acts

British laws that forced women deemed "common prostitutes" to undergo internal examinations.

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Forced Medical Examinations

Compulsory medical examinations, specifically for people identified as prostitutes.

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"White Slave Trade"

A term used to describe the trafficking of women for prostitution, often connected to nineteenth-century feminist activism.

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Josephine Butler

A key figure in 19th-century feminist activism, bringing attention to issues surrounding prostitution and the "white slave trade."

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Trafficking Victim Image

A frequently portrayed image, highlighting the innocence and vulnerability of those trafficked into sex work.

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Voluntary/Forced Dichotomy

The division between voluntary and forced actions, especially in the context of prostitution.

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Debt-bondage/Slavery-like conditions

Instances where individuals within the sex industry find themselves in conditions akin to slavery due to debt.

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Reports on Trafficking

Documents that often highlight the lack of choice in the women's entry points into prostitution, using words like "duped" or "lured".

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Sex Trafficking Campaigns

Campaigns often motivated by emotional appeals of 'victimhood' but can also include hidden agendas.

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Existing Sex Workers

Individuals already working in the sex industry who experience debt-bondage or slavery-like conditions.

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Study Notes

Global Sex Workers: Rights, Resistance, and Redefinition

  • Edited by Kamala Kempadoo and Jo Doezema
  • Published by Routledge, New York and London

Forced to Choose: Beyond the Voluntary vs. Forced Prostitution Dichotomy

  • Jo Doezema's chapter argues against using the voluntary/forced dichotomy to analyze sex worker experiences.
  • This framework is replacing abolitionist views of prostitution in international politics.
  • The chapter explores feminist activism and international instruments related to prostitution.
  • Early feminist campaigns, like Josephine Butler's, focused on the "white slave trade" and aimed to protect morality.
  • The introduction of the "voluntary/forced" dichotomy is examined as a shift from the previous abolitionist model.
  • This dichotomy was used to undermine sex workers' human rights.
  • Sex workers' rights have been subjugated, despite efforts for recognition at international conferences.
  • The chapter cites the 1995 UN Fourth World Conference on Women and efforts to include the word "forced"

Prostitution and International Politics

  • Early activism for international intervention in prostitution was significantly influenced in the 19th century by activists like Josephine Butler.
  • Aiming to fight the "white slave trade," feminists tried to repeal the Contagious Diseases Acts in Britain.
  • These acts criminalized and regulated women identified as "common prostitutes," forcing them to undergo medical examinations.
  • Feminists who opposed the acts also recognized the commonality of interests with sex workers, and the violation of civil liberties for all women.
  • These efforts were not always unified, sometimes using regulation and control as a means to fight prostitution..
  • The social purity movement took over this agenda, focusing on issues including child prostitution and the "white slave trade"

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