harm reduction in street based economies
DESCRIPTION
A presentation for a women's studies class at about the work we do.TRANSCRIPT
Applying Harm Reduction
Methods to Women in Street Economies
by Lindsay Roth, Project Safe
THIS IS A SAFE SPACE
A big thanks to SWOP- NYC/SWANK for sharing their guidelines with us!
• Confidentiality: What’s shared here stays here, what’s learned here leaves here.• One Mic • Make Room, Make Noise • Ouch/Oops• If you don’t know - ask!• Speak from the “I”
Some guidelines
Objectives• Explain the mission of Project Safe • Promote critical discussion about individual
behavior/”pathologies” vis a vis social context• Answer questions about risks associated with
sex work and drug use• For audience members to gain an
understanding of harm reduction theory and how it can be applied to a variety of settings, especially in collaboration with feminist theory
What is Harm Reduction?
• A public health theory addressing behaviors that carry risk.
• We all do things we know are bad for us, and only the individual can decide what measures to take to mitigate harm
• Those who engage in these behaviors should have a leading voice in any organization or program they utilize
• By Sex Workers/Drug Users, For Sex Workers/Drug Users
• Meeting people where they are at• Non-judgmental
• Community involvement and leadership• Addresses material needs and structural
oppressions simultaneously
Harm Reduction Organizations We Love
Continuum of Risk
Not OK for Anyone, Ever (In the History of Ever)
OK for Some (Over There, Far Away)Fine , But not Preferred Practice
Good for Others, Not Good for MeGood for Others and Good for Me
What is “risk?” What are our own anxieties or
discomforts?
Sex Work: some terms
• sex work • sex trade(s) • survival sex • "choice, circumstance or coercion”
(Also, honoring a sex worker's language, when speaking about sex worker(s).)
Examples of Sex Work
• Prostitution • Escorting • Indoor and Outdoor
work • Webcam work • Professional domination • Professional submission • Sugar daddy/mommy
situations • Survival sex • Tantra work/Erotic
massage
• Phone sex• Pornography • Erotic Modeling• Fetish work • Working at a club • Owning a
club/brothel/venue/website
• Stripping/Dancing/ Burlesque
• What you say it is!
Who We Are, What We Do
• All volunteer, grassroots harm reduction group for working women in north Philly
Kensington:• One of the poorest neighborhoods in
Philadelphia with prominent open air markets for heroin, powder and rock cocaine, street-based sex trade
• HIV/AIDS rate for zip codes 19125 and 19134 some of the highest in the city. City wide Philadelphia has HIV/AIDS rate three times higher than the national average.
• Late Night Street Outreach• Bad Date Alerts• Home Deliveries
• Case Management• Health & Safety Tips
• Overdose Response Training• Rape and Assault Referrals
• Women Identified-Only Drop-In• Bilingual Services
This Includes…
Street-Level Sex Work
• Cis-Women, Trans-Women, Cis-Men/ All Ethnicities/ All Ages
• Some have “pimps/madams” some have “boyfriends,” some are on their own, others use a buddy system.
Some Benefits:• People work within a community• There is a network of help/social services• There is mobility• There is a flexible schedule, ideal for mothers, people
with disabilities, people with other jobs, etc.• “Open Air Drug Market” promotes a community of
safe users who take the time to get clean works or clean their works. Also, an OD is acknowledged and addressed.
Disadvantages
– Stigma/Shame apparent due to lack of privacy
– Supply/Demand – low wages, lack of solidarity
– The Screening Process:• Women have about 2 seconds to get a date
because– The is always some one willing to do it for
cheaper/faster/whatever– They don’t want to be seen– They need money– Cops will arrest them for Loitering
– Dates happen in: Cars, Rented rooms, Abandos, Parking lots, Vacant lots, Clients homes
– There are no safety precautions, these men are complete strangers. Occasionally there are “regulars”
–Men go to street walkers because they know just this!
– Drug use is present.
Legal Implications• Most sex workers aren't arrested for Prostitution
or Solicitation• These are Misdemeanor Charges – they are, if
anything, annoying and expensive• Women fear police because of this and do not
use them as a resource in the case of rape, theft or assault
• Multiple Offenders are eligible for “Dawns Court”• Most plead Guilty without further Punishment,
which leaves a permanent mark on one’s record.
Commonly used Drugs
• Heroin: black tar and white powder – injected and snorted
• Cocaine and Crack cocaine – smoked, snorted, injected
• Legal Narcotics: Methadone, Suboxone Oxytocin, Oxycodone
• Benzos: Xanax, Clonpin • Amphetamines: legal and illegal – smoked,
snorted injected• Alcohol• PCP, Marijuana, Ecstasy
Drug Use
Risks • Concussion• Stroke• Seizure• Absesses• Money Loss• Legal Issues • Riskier Sex• HIV/HCV• Assault/Rape
Rewards• Solace from Pain• More affordable then
some treatment plans for Pain or Mental Health
• Seems like the only option for many people
• Community• Fun
Harm Reduction
Stages of Change
Injecting Drugs/ Gender
• Injection Drugs is the most effect way to get high
• IDU increase risk of blood-borne pathogens, collapsed veins, abscesses, from dirty needles, dirty drugs, dirty water
• Everyone has a different relationship with injection drugs – Especially Women
• SEPs have been proven to reduce HIV amongst Interveinous Drug Users
• SEPs are about overwhelmingly male (as are most recovery and 12 Step Programs)
Not ready to Change?
• Safer Use Supplies– Clean needles, Pyrex stems
• Overdose Prevention– Narcan with training
• Safety Planning in case of Arrest– Plan for kids, pets, legal representation
• Budgeting– There is a responsible way to use!
• Still look for Hobbies/ Resources– Drug users can do other stuff!!!
• SAFE SPACES
• Area or forum where a marginalized group is free of standard stereotypes, discrimination, and tactics of silencing
• Physically safe: free of law enforcement/other institutions, potential clients and assault
• There are guidelines: “trolling” should not be tolerated.
What makes a space “safe”?
Logistics of Safe Spaces• Low-threshold• Location and time,
including original use for the space
• Provide incentives such as tokens, food, supplies
• Consistency
• Sometimes personal relationships can trump logistical barriers• If mandatory
program (incarceration, court ordered drug treatment), theories and practices of safe spaces can be included• Think outside the
box
In Conclusion• Human Behavior is incredibly variable • It is not based only in rationality, utility, values, but
also socialization, political context – its complicated • People change – behaviors are often short term. • People should not be defined by their behaviors alone• As a society, we excuse the violence directed towards
these populations because of their criminal status.• People need a voice in their own anti-oppression work • Sex workers and Drug Users are ready, willing and
able to share this voice. We need to give them space. • As a society, we excuse the violence directed towards
these populations because of their criminal status.
Get Involved!
• Volunteer/Intern With Us: www.safephila.org or [email protected]
• Contact Me: [email protected]