The House Passed an Anti-Sex Trafficking Bill That Could Restrict Online Speech And Endanger Sex Workers (TheIntercept)

Read the full article by Aída Chávez on TheIntercept.com 

Sex workers are also actively campaigning against the bill. As a group, they are believed to be disproportionately impacted by violence and policing, but there is a dearth of comprehensive reporting due to the underground nature of the industry. According to a 2004 report, sex workers have a much greater risk of being murdered compared to the general population and any other job. Worldwide, sex workers have a 45 to 75 percent chance of experiencing violence at some point in their careers and too often, violence and rape go unreported due to the threat of getting arrested. They oppose the bill because if it becomes law, it would threaten their very livelihood and safety. They have been organizing under the hashtag #SurvivorsAgainstFOSTA, asking people to call their representatives in Congress.

“Just got off the phone with Congressional staff member. Told him about the murder of my friend Sequoia, who did not have access to online screening for clients. May Congress know her name when they vote #SurvivorsAgainstFOSTA,” writer and porn performer Lorelei Lee tweeted.