Let's Talk About Consent: SW Edition Workshop

Join us for “Let’s Talk About Consent: Sex Work Edition” a workshop dedicated to breaking down stigma and exploring consent as an uncompromisable human right. In this session, we’ll unpack widespread myths about the sex industry and examine how intersecting factors like marginalization and financial power dynamics impact consent.

We will center the fundamental truth that sex work is work–a service being purchased, not the person—and that a sex worker's right to bodily autonomy can never be bought or negated.

Perfect for allies and those new to these conversations, you’ll leave with the terminology, perspective, and tools needed to support sex workers' rights and foster a culture of ethical consent everywhere.

What to Expect: 

• Together, we'll explore and challenge harmful narratives, gain a deeper understanding of genuine agency and autonomy, and examine the historical implications of consent denial in the commercial sex trade. Join us to learn how to advocate for universal consent.

Who This Space is For:

• EVERYONE! Particularly beneficial for sexual health educators, community workers, researchers, clinicians, physicians, case managers, healthcare professionals, community members and activists.

Learning Objectives:

• By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to verbally define consent as an uncompromisable human right that applies to sex workers, and list at least three specific unethical beliefs or behaviors (e.g., “payment equals entitlement,” dehumanizing language, ignoring withdrawal of consent) that violate a sex worker’s bodily autonomy.
• a. Ethics and ethical behavior.
• j. Sexual exploitation, including sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and sexual assault.

• By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to clearly differentiate (consensual) sex work from sexual exploitation/trafficking, and describe at least two distinct ways that socio-cultural factors (such as stigma, classism, and criminalization) contribute to consent violations against sex workers.
• c. Socio-cultural factors (e.g. ethnicity, culture, religion, spirituality, socio-economic status, family values) in relation to sexual values and behaviors.

This program meets the requirements of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and is approved for 1 CE credit. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification.