Pathways | Sex Worker Support Services for Immigrant Women (Including transgender women)

Sex Worker Support Services for Immigrant Women (Including transgender women)

Advocacy, Healthcare Providers, Housing / Shelter, Immigrant and Refugee Services, Legal, LGBT2Q+ Community, Multicultural Services, Public Health, and Sexual Health

Provided by Supporting Women's Alternatives Network (SWAN) Vancouver Society

SWAN promotes the rights, health & safety of im/migrant women engaged in indoor sex work through front-line service & systemic advocacy.

SWAN provides free and confidential support to newcomer, migrant, and immigrant women (including transgender women) who are involved in indoor sex work (massage parlours, private residences, and other indoor sites) in the Vancouver area and women who have been trafficked. Services are culturally sensitive, language-specific and include outreach, net-reach, individual and systemic advocacy, education, and research. SWAN also focuses on advancing the human rights of migrant sex workers and trafficked persons.

Services offered:

Individual Support: Support services can be provided either in-person or via email, text, telephone, WeChat and WhatsApp. Services are low-barrier and do not require a legal name or other identifying information. SWAN can: provide information and referrals to health, legal, immigration, housing and social services, accompany and provide advocacy in appointments, translate during appointments (Cantonese and Mandarin), case coordination & crisis management, and provide emotional support.

Abuser Alert: SWAN’s Abuser Alert system provides im/migrant women engaged in sex work a platform to disclose experiences of violence or injustice with a goal of increasing safety for others. Reports are entered into an SMS messaging system that affords instant distribution. Women can share information regarding violent/abusive clients, non-payments, robberies, police raids, employment or management issues, and problematic intersections with bylaw officers.

Outreach Services: Services include distributing safe sex supplies, connecting women to healthcare workers, nurses, and community health clinics, connecting women to legal resources about the law, immigration, police, employment, safety, health, social services, and referrals.

Netreach Services: Provides online outreach through web-based platforms and e-communication to meet the needs of female indoor sex workers who access the internet for their work. The aim is to connect primarily, but not exclusively, with newcomer, migrant, and immigrant women in order to inform them of services available to them through the agency.

Educational Services(SWANzine): SWANzine provides quarterly newsletter for migrant and immigrant sex workers. It provides information on sex work-related issues such the law, municipal approaches (bylaws & licensing), workplace health and safety, policing, immigration, health, and social services. It also provides updates on SWAN’s advocacy and current projects. Our outreach teams distribute SWANzine to indoor sex work sites in Metro Vancouver. SWANzine is available in English and Chinese.

Community Peer Program: Community Peer Program provides opportunities for social connection and learning. Activities include English and yoga classes, legal information sessions, and social gatherings, among various other events and activities.

Advocacy: Provides individual and systemic advocacy services:

Individual Advocacy: SWAN provides guidance and assists in problem-solving for women who have experienced or are at risk of abuse, threats, violence or harassment from clients or authorities. SWAN also provides support in navigating complex health, legal, and social service systems. We may be able to provide accompaniments to appointments and can support you in finding the resources you need.

Services:

Emotional support
Advocacy with law enforcement
Criminal justice information and support
Assessment and safety planning
Information, resources, advocacy, and referral
Support in filling gaps in services
Emergency support for crisis situations

Systemic Advocacy: SWAN participates in various research projects, community forums, and conferences in order to advocate for those we support and ensure their voices are heard in public and policy conversation

604-719-6343

Public email: info@swanvancouver.ca

Website: https://www.swanvancouver.ca/

#101, 1101 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 0R1

Public email: netreach@swanvancouver.ca.

778-865-6343 (For assistance in Cantonese and Mandarin)

Service is available in Cantonese, English, and Mandarin.

Cost: No cost

Availability

Service area: Anmore, Bowen Island, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Langley, Lions Bay, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey, West Vancouver, White Rock + show cities