Chapters

In addition to the location-specific chapters and projects, SWOP also has a SWOP Behind Bars chapter, providing nationwide interdisciplinary support to incarcerated workers and those in re-entry.

Starting a Chapter

SWOP Chapters take on a variety of projects to promote the rights of sex workers.  Click on the tabs below to learn more about what SWOP chapters do and the process of becoming a chapter!

What Types of Things Do Chapters Do?

Public Education– Chapters give lectures at local universities, develop and present trainings at conferences and social service agencies, and create and distribute resources to help educate the public and reduce individual and institutional violence against Sex Workers.

Awareness—Chapters hold public events on International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, Trans Day of Remembrance, and Sex Worker Rights Day, organize marches and protests, engage in media advocacy and more to help raise awareness of issues of violence, stigma and discrimination in Sex Worker communities.

Advocacy—Chapters advocate on behalf of sex workers and against institutional policies, practices, and laws that increase violence and stigma against our communities.

Empowerment and Leadership Development —Chapters support the development of new leaders through retreats, trainings, and education on rights, community organizing, and intersectional social justice frameworks.

Peer Support—Chapters create peer-led programming to support sex workers. They operate warm-lines and bad date lists, conduct online and street-based outreach, hold workshops, and develop informational resources for community members.

Chapter Requirements

• Agree with our Mission Statement
• Follow our agreements.
• Be ‘reachable’ as a chapter–this means that if someone wants to get involved , they can find your chapter, contact your chapter, and receive a response from your chapter.
• [Once established] Do something to recognize the following 4 events:
  • March 3rd, International Sex Worker Rights Day
  • Your local LGBTIQQ Pride (if you have one)
  • Nov 20th, Transgender Day of Remembrance
  • December 17th, International Day To End Violence Against Sex Workers.

Benefits of Being a Chapter

• Nonprofit & activist training
• Networking with other Chapters and our diverse pool of community activists from across the country
• Ability to use SWOP-USA as a fiscal sponsor in applying for funding
• Access to SWOP-USA’s funding opportunities (which help individuals attend conferences, for chapters to hold community events, develop chapter infrastructure, and more!)
• Utilize our growing database of toolkits designed to support your work
• Consultation from SWOP staff and volunteers on local, national, and international projects

Still interested in starting a chapter? Fill out this form here