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decrimnow.bsky.social
Decrim Now
@decrimnow.bsky.social
220 followers 150 following 66 posts
We are a grassroots campaign group led by sex workers, trade unionists & feminists. We fight for the full decriminalisation of sex work in the UK.

Take action: https://linktr.ee/ukdecrimnow
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Reposted by Decrim Now
scarletalliance.bsky.social
Today is International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. We honour all sex workers who have been murdered or have died as a result of criminalisation, stigma, and discrimination. Read our briefing papers at linktr.ee/scarlet_alliance
A black image with bold red and white text shown diagonally. The white text highlights the words End Violence Now. The Scarlet Alliance logo is a red umbrella with white text and it is in the bottom right hand corner. Today is International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. We honour all sex workers who have been subjected to violence, murdered or died as a result of criminalisation, stigma, and discrimination. These acts of violence are hate crimes. We honour them by: fighting policy failures challenging all unjust laws exposing the violent actions of governments maintaining the legacy of community-led activism built around the peers we have lost, campaigning to end the violence of Border Force against Asian migrant sex workers. Strength and solidarity from Respect Inc, SWOP NT, SIN, SWOP NSW, Magenta, SWEAR, SWOP ACT, Scarlet Alliance, Touching Base, ATSISWAG and AMSWAG State violence actively harms sex workers.Criminalisation of our work creates barriers to justice and impunity for offenders committing violence against us. Border Force raids cause profound and lasting trauma for sex workers, workplaces, and communities. Racial profiling of Asian migrant sex workers at the border results in immigration detention. It exposes migrant sex workers, particularly trans women, to significant risks of physical and sexual violence, including denial of medical care and deportation to danger. Street-based sex workers in every jurisdiction except NT and QLD continue to face arrest and ‘move-on’ notices. Working privately with a friend for safety and support is still criminalised in the ACT, SA and WA. We cannot end this violence without dismantling colonialism, racism, transphobia, homophobia, ableism, and patriarchy, and ending poverty and the criminalisation of drugs.
December 16, 2025 at 11:01 PM
decrimnow.bsky.social
Sex work decriminalisation saves lives.

The government had adopted the UNAIDs target to reduce new HIV transmissions in England to zero by 2030. But evidence shows that the government targets on HIV cannot be met while the criminalisation of sex work continues.
Sex work decriminalisation saves lives. The government had adopted the UNAIDs target to reduce new HIV transmissions in England to zero by 2030. But evidence shows that the government targets on HIV cannot be met while the criminalisation of sex work continues.
December 3, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Reposted by Decrim Now
nationaluglymugs.bsky.social
This year @decrimnow.bsky.social researched the reasons why sex workers in England and Wales are currently entering and remaining in the industry.

Read the full report by here: decrimnow.org.uk/2025/10/30/d...

#16DaysOfActivism #SexWorkIsWork
November 27, 2025 at 10:53 AM
decrimnow.bsky.social
Sex workers’ rights are under threat.

We need trade union members to help us fight to access the labour rights and protections we need.

Join our event to find out how.

Date: 27th November
Time: 7 - 8:30PM
Location: London

Ticket link: www.eventbrite.com/e/workers-fo...

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A red faded background with a black and white photo of a person in a fluffy hat holding a sign that says “sex work is work.” Over the top of the image, there is text that says: DECRIM NOW PRESENTS EVENT SEX WORK IS A TRADE UNION ISSUE WITH SPEAKERS FROM: UNITE 4 DECRIM PCS 4 DECRIM SEX WORKERS' UNION Date: 27/11/2025 Time: 7-8:30pm Location: London
November 25, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Reposted by Decrim Now
eswa-network.bsky.social
Today @tgeuorg.bsky.social posted a list of names of trans people whose lives were lost to violence over the last year. Out of those whose occupation was known, most were sx workers.
November 20, 2025 at 12:58 PM
decrimnow.bsky.social
If you’re based in Scotland, please stand in solidarity with sex workers by coming to Scotland for Decrim’s protest outside Scottish Parliament next Tuesday. Sex workers and allies will be there protesting Ash Regan’s dangerous Nordic model bill.
Poster with text reading ‘Stand with Scottish sex workers against the Nordic model! Meet: Scottish Parliament. Date: Tuesday 18th November. Time: 6pm’. The Scotland for Decrim logo is at the top and the background has images of hands holding a camera and a megaphone.
November 14, 2025 at 12:17 PM
decrimnow.bsky.social
If you haven’t already, make sure you read this important Big Issue article on people, particularly women and disabled people, being driven into sex work by poverty, low pay, and the benefits system.
November 14, 2025 at 12:11 PM
decrimnow.bsky.social
Is sex work a trade union issue?

Join sex workers, trade unionists and allies to discuss the fight for decriminalisation from a workers’ rights, women’s safety and public health perspective.

27/11/2025
7-8:30PM

Get your tickets here: www.eventbrite.com/e/workers-fo...
November 10, 2025 at 8:47 PM
decrimnow.bsky.social
We recently spoke to @bigissue.com about the results of our recent research survey, exploring the reasons why people entered and remained in sex work.

You can read the article here: www.bigissue.com/news/social-...

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Growing number of disabled people turning to sex work amid rising living costs
The rising cost of living, cuts to benefits and welfare and poorly paid jobs have left some women and disabled people turning to sex work.
www.bigissue.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Reposted by Decrim Now
maggiechapman.bsky.social
Rights not rescue!

Join Scotland for Decrim & others rallying for sex workers' rights, & against the Nordic Model that puts them at risk of harm, violence, poverty & exploitation.
Driving sex workers underground will not keep them safe!

Tues 18 Nov, 6pm, Scottish Parliament
Flyer that advertises the peaceful protest against the Nordic Model. There is a drawing of a thistle being held by a hand with long blue fingernails, and the test reads: "Scotland for Decrim: join us for a peaceful protest against the Nordic Model, 18 November 2025, 6pm, meet in front of the Scottish Parliament (EH99 1SP). Rights not rescue!"
November 4, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Reposted by Decrim Now
laurenmedlicott.bsky.social
A survey of 172 sex workers found that 76% of sex workers started in the industry due to financial need, with 77% identifying as disabled or living with a long-term health condition. Here is what two women told me of their experiences.

@decrimnow.bsky.social

www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
Growing number of disabled people turning to sex work amid rising living costs
The rising cost of living, cuts to benefits and welfare and poorly paid jobs have left some women and disabled people turning to sex work.
www.bigissue.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:11 AM
decrimnow.bsky.social
We are horrified but not surprised by this. No one connected to the Magdalene laundries should be involved in making law on any subject, let alone trying to push laws which endanger women who are doing sex work. Sex workers say no to the Nordic Model.
scotnational.bsky.social The National @scotnational.bsky.social · Oct 27
EXCLUSIVE: Ash Regan 'owes the Scottish public an explanation', campaigners have said, after it emerged a Holyrood group supporting her bill to outlaw buying sex is backed by an organisation that ran Magdalene laundries

Read here: tinyurl.com/ynept4fb
October 28, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Reposted by Decrim Now
swaiireland.bsky.social
We are so delighted to see Catherine Connolly elected! She has consistently advocated for the health and safety of sex workers in Ireland during her time in the Dáil. While we will miss her as a TD, we know she will be a president for all on the island, especially the most marginalised.
10th President of Ireland Catherine Connolly
October 27, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Reposted by Decrim Now
swaiireland.bsky.social
Launching the bill yesterday at the Red Umbrella Film Festival, Ruth Coppinger said “Reducing demand was a key aim of the 2017 Sexual Offences Act — this incontrovertibly has not worked, as the Minister for Justice himself admitted after the review of the legislation was published.
Press release: Decriminalisation of sex work bill launched by TD Ruth Coppinger
The bill was co-created by Red Umbrella Éireann, the Sex Workers Alliance Ireland and the Street Workers Collective. These organisations are made up of sex workers and activists who are drawing on…
sexworkersallianceireland.org
October 20, 2025 at 12:01 PM
decrimnow.bsky.social
Amazing work by our friends in Ireland to write and launch a bill to decriminalise sex work, which would enable sex workers to work together for safety, and improve their health and access to workers’ rights.
swaiireland.bsky.social Sex Workers Alliance Ireland @swaiireland.bsky.social · Oct 20
Press release: Decriminalisation of sex work bill launched by TD Ruth Coppinger

The bill was co-created by Red Umbrella Éireann, the Sex Workers Alliance Ireland and the Street Workers Collective.
October 26, 2025 at 2:18 PM
decrimnow.bsky.social
We’ve sent an open letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to tell him that the the government must act urgently to prevent increasing numbers of women being driven into sex work by poverty and financial need.

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A black and white photo of a person holding a sign that says, “benefit cuts drive women into prostitution,” on a bright red background. There is text overlaid that says, “OPEN LETTER: We've written to the government to tell them they must act urgently to prevent increasing numbers of women being driven into sex work by poverty and financial need.”
September 17, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Reposted by Decrim Now
spectra-london.org.uk
📢 We have signed an open letter, led by @decrimnow.bsky.social , calling on the UK Government to act on the poverty crisis driving more people, especially women, into s@x work. 

Read more: 

https://spectra-london.org.uk/2025/09/15/women-in-poverty-sx-work-spectra-open-letter/
A protester in a mask holds a sign reading "Benefit cuts drive women into prostitution." Text below urges government action to prevent women being forced into sex work due to poverty. Red background with white text stating, "76% of sex workers who responded to a recent survey by Decrim Now said that financial need was the main reason they entered sex work."
September 15, 2025 at 4:31 PM
decrimnow.bsky.social
Thank you Maggie for being such an amazing and consistent ally to sex workers! We hugely appreciated the opportunity to come and speak in Scottish Parliament alongside our friends from Scotland for Decrim, National Ugly Mugs and the Street Workers’ Collective Ireland.
maggiechapman.bsky.social Maggie Chapman MSP (she/her) @maggiechapman.bsky.social · Sep 12
Sex workers are experts on their own safety.

Ash Regan's Prostitution Bill claims to protect them, while completely ignoring their voices.

But Scotland For Decrim are advocating for the marginalised. I was honoured to sponsor their event, & stand up for workers' rights✊
ALT TEXT: Three women at the top of a conference table, with one standing up to speak in the middle. The desk is brown veneer wood, and behind the women are two cornflower blue banners which read "Scotland For Decriminalisation". The woman on the left, Laura, has pale skin, ginger hair down to her waist, and an orange dress. In the centre, ruth has a short brown bob, tanned white skin, and round glasses. She is wearing a 'Free Palestine' badge on her blazer. On the right, Maggie Chapman MSP wears a black dress with pink spots, and is writing. She has tanned white skin, short grey-brown hair, and thin framed glasses. ALT TEXT: A group of people stand in front of a cornflower blue banner which reads "Scotland For Decriminalisation". They are all smiling into the camera, most with their hands clasped in front of them.
September 12, 2025 at 7:21 PM
decrimnow.bsky.social
Our amazing colleagues Laura and Victoria in Scotland for Decrim were on the BBC’s Scottish news podcast Scotcast this week, speaking about why sex workers oppose Ash Regan’s dangerous Nordic Model bill. Please listen and share, it’s a powerful episode: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Scotcast - Sex worker: Listen to me - BBC Sounds
How a proposed prostitution law could impact selling sex.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 12, 2025 at 8:56 AM
decrimnow.bsky.social
Great article from our colleagues in the English Collective of Prostitutes about how criminalisation and poverty/financial need trap women in sex work. The government could solve this by decriminalising sex work and ensuring that our social security system is fit for purpose.
September 7, 2025 at 4:05 PM
decrimnow.bsky.social
Trans people are overrepresented in sex work in large part because of the discrimination and abuse they face in other workplaces and wider society. This EHRC guidance will hugely amplify that. Please write to your MP to demand democratic oversight of this harmful guidance. #NoTransSegregation
transsolidarity.bsky.social Trans+ Solidarity Alliance @transsolidarity.bsky.social · Sep 5
The EHRC Code will devastate trans people's lives. This is an emergency.

Here are three ways to fight back.

Take action now:
www.transsolidarityalliance.com/ehrc-code
Three ways to fight back Email my MP Call my MP Meet my MP
September 6, 2025 at 1:18 PM
decrimnow.bsky.social
We were pleased to speak to Lauren recently for this important article on how the criminalisation of sex workers traps them in sex work, giving them a criminal record which makes it much more difficult to get another job. The government must take urgent action to ban prostitutes’ cautions.
laurenmedlicott.bsky.social Lauren Crosby Medlicott @laurenmedlicott.bsky.social · Aug 4
Campaigners say sex workers are being punished for surviving, as Sharon recalls her first caution at just 15 in Bristol.

Find out more in my story, with so much help from English Collective of Prostitutes and Decrim Now, for @bigissue.com.

www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
Sex workers 'trapped' in prostitution by 'unjust' police cautions
When sex workers receive a police caution it stays on their record for life, diminishing their chances of a future career.
www.bigissue.com
September 5, 2025 at 1:44 PM
decrimnow.bsky.social
Don’t miss this interview with our colleagues in Scotland on why they oppose Ash Regan’s proposed bill to introduce the Nordic Model (client criminalisation) in Scotland. Thank you Neil for listening to sex workers 🙏
neilmackay.bsky.social Neil Mackay @neilmackay.bsky.social · Jun 29
I want to thank the Scottish sex workers who spoke to me about the reality of their lives

It took courage to share their stories. I’ve huge respect for them

They’re deprived of a voice, demonised and marginalised, and face new laws that will endanger them www.heraldscotland.com/politics/252...
'Becoming a sex worker saved my life - don't let politicians take that away from us'
Scotland's sex workers speak out and demand decriminalisation of prostitution as they campaign against proposed Holyrood legislation to introduce…
www.heraldscotland.com
June 30, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Reposted by Decrim Now
meganmay.bsky.social
It’s absolutely outrageous that @ameliagentleman.bsky.social has written this article and hasn’t included a single word from sex worker-led organisations or outreach charities that work with sex workers who oppose these proposals. Where is the balance? Where are the voices of actual sex workers?
June 18, 2025 at 7:30 AM
decrimnow.bsky.social
“Sex workers know that only full decriminalisation will protect our safety, health, & human rights, giving us the power to choose when and how we work.”

Read more about our campaign to oppose the Nordic Model in Scotland: t.co/JMgYyBDNsb
May 31, 2025 at 1:42 PM