x:talk project summary

x: talk - a network of sex workers, sex workers rights', and migrants' rights activists are in the process of organising a project that involves the development, co-ordination and delivery of non-commercial English classes workers in the sex industry in London. The project has been endorsed by the International Union of Sex Workers (IUSW). This is a project to put into action our critiques on the "trafficking" politics as producing criminalisation, victimisation and exploitation of migrants and workers in the sex industry.

Project summary

x: talk aims to empower, educate and organise workers in the sex industry, focusing on the needs and realities of migrant sex workers in particular. The project would be initially externally funded and there are hopes to become more self funded through the holding of fundraiser parties. As well it is hoped that as the project develops it will attract the support and endorsement of a variety of sex worker organizations and also sex industry service organisations and allies.

The project will involve a pilot six month course of English classes held on an evening per week in an accessible and suitable venue, with the possibility of expansion of both the timetable and venues, dependent upon the success and evaluation of the pilot project. The classes are proposed to run for 2hours (with 1.5hours of English classes, and 0.5hrs spent on peer education about the sex industry with Q&A session). The Q&A session being one where sex workers can ask specific questions and also be referred to the appropriate agencies/ services if needed.

This project is a conscious effort to make contact with migrant sex worker communities, offer a practical and needed service that currently is only provided for on a commercial basis and ultimately attempt to build political alliances and strengthen migrant sex worker networks with and within the IUSW.

Whilst this project is an ‘organising project’ and offers numerous organising and union recruitment opportunities – it is important that sex workers feel that they can access the service without necessarily being union members or under pressure to join . Careful attention will be paid to all promotional material and advertising in relation to the message as to who can participate and also who is offering the service. It is also hoped that fundraising parties (two held per course, one at the start and one at the end) will offer another opportunity for participation by course participants