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This article may be used to:
• highlight how authorities use power to abuse the marginalised and /or vulnerable.
• educate society to familiarise itself with laws and regulations to guard against people's rights being abused.
• highlight economic imbalances that contribute to sex work.
• as an example of images which support stereotypes about sex work.
• as an example of an article that uses politically correct language.
Trainer's notes:
The article mentions that Cape Town police are using "by laws that never made it onto the statute books'"to arrest sex workers. This is not only unethical; an abuse of power but it is against the law. Though the article does point that the police are using "non existent laws" it fails to come out right and condemn this abuse of power. It is a matter of concern when those supposed to protect the vulnerable abuse the very same people they are meant to protect.
The article puts the plight of sex workers into focus. Highlighting the abuse they face at the hands of the authorities will hopefully open up discussion into the protection of sex workers and other marginalised of the community who also face abuse at the hands of authorities. Moreover, this article may be used to educate society on the need to familiarise itself with laws and regulations so that they are aware when their rights are being abused and they act accordingly.
The second part of the article, which profiles a sex worker, puts a face into the story. The profiled person talks of her dreams, hopes and fears .This is highly commendable as it stigmatises sex work and portrays sex workers as ordinary people who need to be cared for and loved. The article uses the term sex workers as opposed to the commonly used -prostitutes. This term is insulting and fails to take into account the reasons why many resort to selling sex, which is to provide for their families.
However, though the article is generally commendable for its efforts in advancing the rights of sex workers and distigmatising prostitution, it fell into the trap of using stereotypical images associated with sex work. The use of the scantily clad lady in the picture does not add any value into the article, if anything it takes away the good work of stereotyping sex work that the article sought to address.
Discussion Questions:
1.Discuss whether the media has shown any significant strides in covering issues of the marginalised/vulnerable particularly sex workers. Focus of the following areas.
• Language
• Challenging stereotypes
• Balanced reporting
• Imagery
2. Discuss the legalisation of prostitution .Invite all stakeholders involved (prostitutes, community leaders, religious groups, traditionalists, advocacy and human rights groups).
Training exercises
• Interview sex workers and write commentaries or assist the women to write "I" Stories to highlight the experiences of sex workers (see example below)
• Investigate other was that police or such officials abuse power.
• Draft guidelines for reporting on sex work. Share these with sex workers rights associations for feedback.
Files to download:
10020_stop_harassing_us_say_sex_workers_-newspaper_article_+_link.doc - 29 KB
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