It has been a while since I’ve posted in this space. 2024 has been a rollercoaster ride and I’ve been struggling to set aside time to tick off things on my to-do list, but I’ve finally found a bit of time to write about something important and close to my heart.
I’m sure all my fellow friends in the industry understand the necessity of community and support in this industry. We face multiple challenges on multiple fronts – legal, safety, and support. Project X’s extensive involvement and network, advocate and supports us on those fronts. (As I’m typing this today, the 30th of November, they’re at Singapore AIDS Conference 2024!)
About Project X
Project X: the only non-profit organisation in Singapore that provides social, emotional, and health services to people in the sex industry.
- Vision: To eradicate violence and exploitation within the Singapore sex industry
- Mission: Empower, Make Access, Create Activities, Foster, Against Violence
A few of the many things that Project X does:
- provide support for the sex work community (both in person and online!) through being a safe space
- provide FREE & PRIVATE testing, and items (condoms & lube) for workers
- advocate for and educate the community – about regulations & laws surrounding sex work, dispelling myths, speaking out against violence
- community building & strategic partnerships, in addition to research and case management
Now You Know, What Next?
Now that you understand a bit more about Project X, what can you do?
BE AWARE: If you’re in the sex work community and in Singapore (this applies to international friends travelling here too) – knowing about Project X is important. If you ever require support (e.g. a case you’d like to report) or need to inform/spread word (e.g. if you met someone you think should be blacklisted and should be made aware of) – reach out to the team.
Make an appointment: https://theprojectx.org/for-sex-workers/
No matter who you are, you can also educate yourself (Project X has gotten media coverage and been featured in many articles and videos, they also speak about topics impacting the community often).
DONATE: Project X is a non-profit organisation, and donations are crucial to supporting its cause. To donate, you can
- Donate via PayNow / UEN: T14SS0189D
- Bank Transfer:
- Bank: United Overseas Bank Limited
- Bank Code: 7375
- Branch Code: 057
- Account name: Project X Society
- Account number: 318-3049-834
- Give Asia: https://give.asia/charity/projectxsg
Why Care?
Scarlett Alliance (Australia), AMMAR (Argentina), SWASH (Japan), SWING (Thailand) – these are just a few examples of the organisations globally that are fighting to defend the rights of sex workers. Sex work has existed throughout history and will not be going away anytime soon. Sex work is work.
Yet, sex workers have consistently had to deal with the dangers that should not exist – especially that of violence. Deering et al. (2014) attempted to examine factors that relate to the sexual and physical violence faced, and highlights the need for a combination of structural and community-led intervention. The paper also reviewed multiple studies relating to violence against sex workers, and although there are factors that correlate to increased violence, what I saw was this: violence exists in many situations and more needs to be done.
Violence is just one of the many things that sex workers face – this topic is so deep it needs another post on its own. But my point is this: the sex work community, despite having been around for so long, still has a long way to go. And each individual has a part to play no matter what.
We must push for our society to become better informed, more educated, and to stand as allies through advocacy – and everyone has a part to play.
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