Youth & Young Adults Committee 12/9 recap: Survival Sex Workshop
Last Tuesday about 50 community members gathered at the Coalition’s Youth & Young Adults Committee (YYAC) monthly meeting to share in a powerful workshop about Survival Sex facilitated Queer Youth Community Organizing Interns TJ Petrik and Jackie Sandberg from PSKS. (These two participated in the YYAC’s Youth Advocacy Summit this year, and it was great to reconnect!) As a topic that is very prevalent in the lives of many in our community, but not discussed as much as it should be, it was good to share this conversation with service providers, case workers, advocates, and more so everybody could get tips for how to share important information with those they work with. Some highlighted tips for service providers: Find full list of tips from TJ and Jackie here Survival Sex can loosely be defined as “needs-based sexual activity” and is often traded for assurance of safety, a place to stay, money, protection, and drugs among other reasons. Needs based sexual activities are very complex and personal, and are especially prevalent among homeless youth and LGBTQ youth. Service providers can and should provide information and resources about sex work while being sensitive to those they are serving. Many people may not be open about sharing so it is important to make sure everyone knows that resources are available by using space in your facility to educate people via fliers, events, and non-derogatory language. It was suggested by many in the room that one approach for intake workers and service providers to share information would be by asking: “Would you or anyone you know like information about resources for those involved in survival sex.” Asking questions such as this allow space for individuals to access resources without having to disclose personal information. When working with a young person who’s engaged in needs-based sex work, it’s important to discuss risk reduction. …