Respect for sex workers. | Alexandra Oliveira | TEDxPorto
Alexandra Oliveira |
TEDxPorto
• April 2018
How is it that a society, that considers human rights as a value, does not respect and excludes women and men, cis or trans, involved in sex work? Except for cases involving minors, and sex trafficking or exploitation, people who chose to offer sexual services should be seen as if they were doing a useful job that must be recognized socially, juridically, and politically.
What should be done, to stop disrespect and lack of recognition from being seen as "natural"? We have to make changes: in the path of policies based on evidence, and of a society that respects human rights, without exceptions. And even more: by giving voice to those who have been subject of the evilest attempts of silencing - sex workers. Every one of us can do something, beginning by the way we think about this group.
Alexandra Oliveira is a professor at The University of Port, in the Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences. Her research interests relate to gender, sexuality and social control has dedicated her research to sex work, particularly to prostitution. She received her doctorate in psychology from the University of Port with an ethnographic study about street prostitution which gave origin to a book titled "To walk through life: street prostitution and social reaction" (2011, Almedina - Honorable Mention of the Maria Lamas Prize, 2011). She was a member of the action management committee COST IS1209 – “Comparing European Prostitution Policies” (2013-2017), appointed by the Science and Technology Foundation. She was a founding member of GIITS - Interdisciplinary Group of Researchers around Sex Work.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx