December 16, 2024

Designing Responsive Drop-In Programs for Street-Based Sex Workers

This blog is written in recognition of the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Sex Workers, observed annually on December 17th. This day is a reminder of the unique violence, discrimination, and marginalization that sex workers face globally, and it calls for the need for policies, services, and societal changes that promote the safety, dignity, and rights of all sex workers. As we work toward eliminating violence against sex workers, we must also continue to foster spaces of solidarity, healing, and empowerment.

Introduction

Throughout our history, the sex work profession has been viewed through a lens of morality, leading to the criminalization of sex workers. While sex work itself is not illegal, Canadian law criminalizes many activities surrounding the work, including the purchase of sexual services. Since Canadian laws around sex work do not allow for designated working facilities where sex work can take place, many sex workers engage in street-based work to earn an income.

The stigma surrounding sex work creates harmful barriers to accessing important resources such as health care, legal representation, safe housing and mental health supports. This increases the danger street-based sex workers face, highlighting the need for specialized support services. These services can help them meet basic needs, build a supportive community, and create spaces where sex workers can work together to advocate for their rights.

Sex worker drop-in spaces are an important type of support. In recent years, many non-profit organizations, including those led by sex workers, have adopted this approach to service delivery and design.

What are Sex Worker Drop-In Programs?

There is wide variation in how sex worker drop-in spaces and programs are operated, but all of these organizations strive to offer an easily accessible, low-barrier supportive, and welcoming space. These drop-in spaces are important for accessing material necessities (food, safer sex supplies, healthcare), safe referrals, and building a supportive community. Many drop-in services are part of larger organizations that provide a range of support services and advocacy efforts.

As a part of a larger research study, I have conducted a web-based environmental scan focused on identifying and further understanding sex worker supporting programs, specifically drop-ins:

  • I found 41 organizations that support sex workers across Canada through advocacy or other services, 16 providing drop-ins for sex workers:
    • 11 of these spaces were sex worker specific drop-ins
    • 5 were sex worker welcoming drop-ins

It is important to note that this scan was not exhaustive, and there are likely more drop-ins that serve sex workers across Canada that do not advertise as such online.

The programs I studied varied in days and times of operation, with the majority running during weekday evenings. The programming offered aims to provide a safe space for sex workers to rest, build community, and access resources.

The spatial layout of drop-in spaces are typically designed with basic facilities like a washroom, kitchen, and lounge. Some also offer additional features like resting areas, showers, laundry, activity spaces, outdoor areas, and private rooms for conversations. They provide snacks, hot meals, hygiene products, safer sex materials, safer drug use materials, makeup and clothing. Other services may include counselling, case management, referrals, workshops, and community events.

Sex worker drop-in spaces are run by either social service professionals or peer workers, or a mix of both, as peer work and mutual aid are greatly valued in these spaces. Drop-ins also help build solidarity and support advocacy efforts to advance sex workers’ rights. In addition, these spaces make it easier to access important health and social service referrals. By providing a safe space to access resources and community, drop-ins improve the safety and well-being of the sex-working community.

Best Practice Recommendations for Sex Worker Drop-Ins

The following are recommendations for promising practices for developing sex worker drop-in spaces. These recommendations are based on what I found drop-ins are doing through my environmental scan, as well as from an accompanying literature review regarding sex work policies and sex worker advocacy. They all present tangible actions that social service providers can take to create a much-needed welcoming space for sex workers.

Conclusion

Sex worker drop-in spaces carry a significant role in filling the gap in accessible services and community. By intentionally designing and implementing drop-in spaces in our communities, there is great potential to provide much-needed support to sex workers as they continue to navigate resistance to harmful policies and stigmatization.

Disclaimer
The analysis and interpretations contained in these blog posts are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness.