This is not what I meant. I wouldnt go around reporting people if I identified a trafficking victim. We are more likely to spot the signs, but it doesnt mean reporting.

Seeking help doesn't have to be via police but no help would be sought if punitive actions are met by police. https://twitter.com/themayamorena/status/1275113502374531073

Assuming privileged sex workers will automatically call the police on migrant sex workers is not the intention of decrim, and something I would never encourage.

However if you seek help via other means and police are contacted, that's the issue. Hence why we dont seek support.

This is especially true if working in a brothel as that is illegal to run one, and the last thing you wish to do is bring police attention, and risk it being raided- at great risk to migrant sex workers.

This is why I support decrim of brothels, so this risk is eliminated and help can be sought via other means.

Decrim isn't about legalising brothels so we can go around reporting and 'rescuing' migrant sex worker. This is the last thing you should do!!

Eg my local sex work outreach worker would regularly visit brothels with migrant women. Never an issue, but she could spot the signs of trafficking if needed such as no documents.

She could work and gain trust & support via other means, not by going wild and reporting.

Withheld documents*

Sex workers themselves can be the biggest support and offer mutual aid - not the police - but our resources are limited if our job is criminalised, our workplace is criminalised and we run the risk of causing more harm if we reach out for support.

Decriminalise the 'illegal immigrant' too - humans arent illegal, and they are also worthy of rights, respect, support and help with finance, mental health and safety.

Immigration laws themselves cause human trafficking

Also do not conflate migrant sex worker & trafficking victims.

This thread is for migrant sex workers identified as trafficking victims, not migrant sex workers in general.

Also note UK and US definitions of trafficking are different.

Trafficking in the UK is the movement of someone by force, deception, coercion or fraud with the purpose of exploiting them. Not simply moving across borders to work.