UNITED SEX WORKERS FRONT OF UKRAINE IN WAR: 400 DAYS OF RESISTANCE

It’s been 400 days since the war has been going on. Our lives have changed, and we have all changed, and nothing will ever be the same again. But one thing remains unchanged - UNITED SEX WORKERS FRONT OF UKRAINE continues to support our community - women, men, transgender people affected by war and their families.

How was this year? What has been done to support sex workers (SWs)? What needs do SWs have? What are our plans for 2023 to support SWs?

During the year, the position of the SWs almost did not change. SWs of Ukraine are in a difficult situation: often without work, housing, livelihood, support from the state.

The primary problem faced by SW representatives during the war was the lack of basic resources for survival (housing, food, medicines, hygiene products, warm clothes, etc.) and limited access to timely psychological and legal assistance.

Since the beginning of hostilities in 12 regions and in Kyiv: almost 1,000 SWs have received 1,250 food (kits) and 1,250 hygiene kits, 450 baby food and hygiene kits, 840 medicine kits, and 260 travel kits.

During this time, we conducted several surveys among sex workers in regions in order to identify needs in wartime and update them. These surveys have confirmed that basic needs remain relevant. In addition, on the eve of winter, the SWs was in dire need of various means that can help to survive in absence of heat, light, clean drinking water, etc.

In response to these needs, in 12 regions and the city of Kyiv, the SWs received additionally: 130 power banks, 130 sets of thermal underwear, 130 pairs of socks, 130 flashlights, 130 packs of tablets for water disinfection, 130 sleeping bags, etc.

Also, in order to maintain health and prevent HIV/STIs among SWs, community representatives were given 130 packs of gel-lubricant, 260 pregnancy tests, 700 packs of condoms.

Since September 2022, more than 60 SWs were forced to relocate due to the war, they were provided with temporary housing and transport to move.

This war has a painful effect on the psychological and physical health of SWs, which confirms their appeal to psychologists at the Hotline for SWs, negatively affects their economic and material situation, as well as the legal and social status of SWs.

Since September 2022, more than 170 SWs have applied for psychological support and received psychological counseling at the Hotline for Sex Workers. The main problems that SWs deal with in war conditions are: chronic fatigue and depression, pessimism, inability to distract from the news about the war, insomnia, problems with children/man/relatives/work colleagues, panic attacks, despair and impotence, sudden mood swings, new phobias, uncontrollable anger, etc.

For six months, almost 2,000 people received information support by visiting the organization’s website to obtain the necessary information about services for the joint venture, and contacting the Hotline and online chats for the joint venture.

It also turned out that SWs with relatives/partners with combat experience require information about treatment and care of people with post-traumatic stress syndrome. And SWs who continue to provide sex services need practical advice on dealing with aggressive clients or clients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD (military) in order to avoid the risks of violence.

In response to these needs, we have posted several articles on the website about the rules for providing support to people with PTSD.

The development of a handbook with advice for SWs on how to avoid violence, including behavior in situations of aggression by military clients, has also begun.

Despite difficult conditions, this helps to strengthen community mobilization and advocacy. Because of the opportunity to receive humanitarian aid, the number of SWs who come to us is growing. Thanks to mutual support, close communication, commonality of problems, the community is united and strengthened, some clients join our movement, and cooperation with new partners is established.

Today, our main task is to ensure the preservation of the life and health of SWs and their families. Since sex work is criminalized, and is not recognized as work, SWs do not count on assistance from the state, therefore, our organization CO “Legalife – Ukraine” remains the only source of stable support for many SWs of our country.

Unfortunately, today most of the projects to support SWs are coming to an end. In 2023, with the support of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the NGO "100% Life - Network of PLHIV", we plan to purchase and distribute humanitarian aid in the form of food and medicine among SWs, but we understand that these volumes will not be able to cover even half of the needs of SWs in Ukraine. Therefore, we continue to actively seek resources and partners to help our community get through these difficult times.

“Thank you for helping us despite the war. You are best!"

“I want to express my gratitude! For your work and that you do not leave us in this difficult times.”

“Legalife - Ukraine works wonders. Thank you".

“Many thanks for all the help, but I wish it was more often. Because it is very difficult for us during the war. Thank you".

“Gratitude to the people working in CO “Legalife-Ukraine”. I wish you good projects so that you can continue to help us – SWs.”

“You do a lot for people like me. Thank you from all of my heart!"-

– this feedback from our customers is the best motivation for our team.

We are grateful to our friends and partners for supporting sex workers in Ukraine: ActionAid, Global Fund for Women, SWAN, NSWP, Ukrainian Women’s Fund, Renaissance International Foundation, 100 PER CENT OF LIFE NGO and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria .

The last year has become a source of information about the issues and the situation in which SWs find themselves in conditions of war and criminalization of sex work - this information will be used in the process of advocacy for sex workers rights and for fighting for changes in legislation in Ukraine.

Also, we hope that our activity will not go unnoticed by representatives of international organizations, foundations, etc., which will help us to ensure continued support for the SWs of Ukraine in future.

Team of CO “Legalife-Ukraine”