COMPLETE CURRICULUM
SEX WORK AS WORK:
A HISTORICAL CONTEXT
What sex work means under capitalism. Sex work being work. Exploring the work’s impact on identity formation and integration, impact of the type of work on well-being (who they are, who they aren’t, sex work in history, our collective engagement in sex work as a culture).
SYSTEMIC OPPRESSION IN SEX WORK
Exploration of the impact of differing types of oppression, particularly exploring intersecting identities and harm
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEX WORK & TRAFFICKING
Clarifying the extent of both and the global/ political/ economic fallout from the conflation of the two, how to assess the difference and care for the whole person in this moment
WHY ABOLITION & DECRIMINALIZATION
the legal and political approaches to integrating the work into life, the intersections of activism and clinical work, the role of the therapist in advocacy for well-being
SYSTEMIC OPPRESSION IN MENTAL HEALTH
Barriers to care and access to basic well-being, understanding the roots of harm and dreams of new ways of being in care providing settings.
SEX WORK & PARENTING
Sex workers can be parents too! Tailoring care to challenge stigmas & creating new pathways for safer, more accessible care where sex working parents feel safe to complain and be human.
WHO ARE SEX WORKERS
Treating the whole person, perspective shifts and pathways forward, new models and decolonized approaches to healing.
MENTAL HEALTH
& SEX WORK
Common manifestations, challenges and co-occurring eating disorders, substance use and trauma
ANTI-SEX WORK PROPAGANDA & COLONIALISM
Harmful stereotypical and dehumanizing portrayals in media. Co-opting of sex work by celebrities and more.
TRAUMA & SEX WORK
Layers of trauma including the impact of outside stigma/ oppression/ violence, harm that occurs within, internalized oppression and intersection of familial/ intergenerational trauma, strategies for healing and tools for providers
CLINICAL NEEDS FOR SEX WORKERS
Community based, peer led, free/low cost strategies, gender expansive inclusive services, telehealth, confidentiality waiver specific to the work (not included in records), all ages, no ID required, drop-in care, crisis work, preventative care.
ROLE OF COMMUNITY
Addressing socio cultural shifts, building new structures for integration in families and relationships without subjugation. Relationship therapy/ coaching resources specific to partners of those in the industry
