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Haunting vigil highlights violence sex workers face
A haunting but beautiful vigil has been held in Bristol to commemorate sex workers who have died at the hands of violence.
While intense debate continues to encircle the role of sexual entertainment venues (SEVs) in Bristol with their proposed ‘nil-cap’, the vigil on College Green was a stark reminder away from politics of the brutality that sex workers face all over the world.
The vigil began at the tree on College Green which earlier this year had been the centre of the vigil for Sarah Everard.
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Tea-lights and placards listing the 186 names of sex workers whose lives have been lost to violence were ceremoniously planted at its base.
Names of the 186 sex workers who have been murdered since 1990 – photo by Betty Woolerton
The evening was held by Bristol Sex Workers’ Collective as part of International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, founded after Gary Ridgeway was convicted of murdering nearly 50 sex workers in the Unites States.
With the bells of Bristol Cathedral still ringing through the bitter Friday evening, sex workers, advocates and allies delivered heart-rending speeches to an audience of dozens of people.
“We are here today to remember our colleagues, our friends, our family and members of our community that we have lost to violence”, said one speaker, called Alice.
“The deaths of sex workers and the violence that against them goes uninvestigated, unexplained and unreported are a reminder that the court, the police and the state are compliant in the violence that we face.
“We carry in our hearts those that we have lost. We remember those that were murdered, and those that we have lost to suicide, drug overdoses, treacherous migration journey, partner violence and persecution.”
The cohort of allies and sex workers then began a sombre and purposeful march through Bristol’s city centre, chanting ‘no bad women, just bad laws’, ‘no justice, no peace’ and ‘end violence against sex workers’.
Chloe, a member of Bristol Sex Workers’ Collective, explained the vigil was organised to “break down the stigma” that surrounds sex work which is the “main contribution to violence” against sex workers.
“We deserve safety, we deserve to work without worry of violence and that’s why we are here today”, Chloe told Bristol24/7.
Despite the chilling statistics and accounts given, Alice said she was “hopeful that we are moving towards a brighter future”.
Alice (left) was the opening speaker at the vigil – photo by Betty Woolerton
The vigil and protest eventually drew to a close in Castle Park, where Alice poignantly said to the cluster of remaining people: “Today we mourn and tomorrow we begin.”
Main photo by Betty Woolerton
Read more: Union calls for ‘progressive policy’ on strip clubs in Bristol
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