SWOP Behind Bars stories

Joey The Player Sentenced to the Max

On Wednesday, June 26th, 2024 #JoeyThePlayer, José Olivio Torres was sentenced to 30 years in prison for 4 counts of #SexTrafficking related charges, specifically “enticement” and “coercion” to cross state lines for the purposes of prostitution. No victims or survivors were arrested in the investigation or court proceedings of this case. He was brought to justice by sex workers who came forward and reported his violence to the FBI with the assistance of an attorney. 

The Intersection of Poverty, Environment and Sexual Health

Generational poverty and environmental issues are deeply intertwined, creating a cycle that perpetuates socioeconomic disparities. Environmental challenges, such as climate change and pollution, disproportionately affect impoverished communities, leading to adverse health outcomes, including compromised sexual and reproductive health. This intersection exacerbates existing inequalities and hinders efforts to break the cycle of poverty.
The intersection of environmental issues and generational poverty has been extensively studied. The Ballard Brief by Brigham Young University discusses how intergenerational poverty leads to unsafe living conditions and increased health risks, including exposure to environmental hazards. Additionally, the concept of environmental racism highlights how marginalized communities often face disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards, perpetuating cycles of poverty and health disparities.
Marginalized populations often reside in areas that are disproportionately affected by environmental hazards. These hazards include exposure to pollution, lack of access to clean water, poor air quality, and vulnerability to climate change-induced disasters such as floods, droughts, and extreme temperatures. Structural inequalities in housing, urban planning, and infrastructure exacerbate these issues, making it difficult for impoverished communities to access basic resources that support health and well-being.

Generational Poverty Impact on Sexual Health

Generational poverty creates significant barriers to sexual health by limiting access to education, healthcare, and economic stability. Individuals born into poverty often face inadequate sex education, restricted access to contraception and reproductive healthcare, and higher rates of sexual exploitation and violence. Systemic inequalities, such as lack of affordable healthcare and stigmatization of marginalized communities, further contribute to higher rates of sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancies, and poor overall reproductive health outcomes. Breaking this cycle requires comprehensive policy changes, community support, and increased access to resources that empower individuals to make informed decisions about their sexual well-being.

The Power of Crucial Conversations for Change

Crucial conversations are the foundation of meaningful change in the fight for sex worker rights. These high-stakes discussions span policy debates, personal relationships, and public narratives, significantly impacting legislation and social conditions for sex workers. Despite the discomfort they may bring, engaging in these dialogues is essential to challenge harmful policies and reshape perceptions.
 

The Super Bowl Bail Out Wrap Up Super Bowl Bail Out Wrap Up

The Super Bowl has long been a magnet for sensationalized anti-trafficking narratives that often result in the criminalization of consensual adult sex workers and their clients. However, this year in New Orleans marked a shift—there were no arrests of adult consensual workers or their clients under the usual rhetoric. The Sex Worker Super Bowl Bail Out, typically focused on freeing sex workers impacted by these crackdowns, played a notably different role as the city simply chose not to waste resources on such stings.

Amazon Wishlists - Empowerment Through Learning

The Amazon Wishlist Program through SWOP Behind Bars is more than just a means of providing material support—it is a beacon of hope and a gateway to education, self-empowerment, and personal growth for incarcerated sex workers and survivors of trafficking. By offering access to books, learning resources, and essential items tailored to individual needs, this program helps foster opportunities for transformation, even within the restrictive confines of incarceration.

Becoming a Mentor By Mail to an Incarcerated Sex Worker or Trafficking Survivor: A Guide to Making a Meaningful Connection

Incarceration can be one of the most isolating experiences a person can endure, especially for sex workers and survivors of trafficking. For these individuals, receiving a letter in the mail is more than just a communication—it’s a lifeline, a moment of human connection in an otherwise dehumanizing system. Whether handwritten or sent electronically through secure prison email systems, letters remind people behind bars that they are not forgotten and that someone cares about their humanity and story.
At SWOP Behind Bars, we believe in the power of correspondence to uplift, empower, and advocate for those who have been marginalized and criminalized. If you’re interested in becoming a pen pal to an incarcerated sex worker or survivor of trafficking, here’s how to get started and what to keep in mind.

On the Super Bowl, Safety and Solidarity

Every year, around this time, the airwaves in whatever city is hosting the Super Bowl are flooded with public services announcements about sex trafficking. Billboards go up. Police officers receive special training. Media asks organizations that work to reduce trafficking to comment on the “biggest sex trafficking event of the  year.”
There is no evidence that the actual volume of sex trafficking increases as a result of the Super Bowl. More importantly, we collectively try to make the point that the hype often leads to a damaging response - arresting people who are directly selling sex. 
Historically, the anti-trafficking and sex worker rights movements have struggled to find common ground and the disagreements have sometimes become heated. But this is one thing we passionately agree upon. We believe our time, talent, and treasure is best invested toward supporting the direct needs of those with lived experience, as opposed to coercive intervention. There are others. Our areas of agreement are based in shared deeply held values and commitments: To the dignity of each and every human being and to an end to violence, against people in the sex trades, to name a few.
With that in mind, we come together this January - Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month, to offer the following shared recommendations.