An International Discussion on Civil Liberties

Hidden on the fringes of society in a world that few will speak about openly, the rights of sex workers sit at the heart of civil liberties for all. The Center for Crime & Popular Culture at St. Francis College brought an international panel to Brooklyn Heights on October 30, 2017 to discuss a new book that tries to bring the problem and possible solutions to the forefront, Challenging Perspectives on Street-Based Sex Work (Temple University Press, 2017).

(Learn About Civil Liberties of Sex Workers)

Corey Shdaimah and Chrysanthi Leon were in Brooklyn while their colleague, Katie Hail-Jares, joined via Skype from Australia. The three are co-editors of, Challenging Perspectives and will talk about sex work in the 21st century as well as the larger war on sex. (Learn more about Challenging Perspectives)

Challenging Perspectives on Street-Based Sex Work brings the voices of lower-echelon sex workers and those individuals charged with policy development and enforcement into conversation with one another. Chapters highlight some of the current approaches to sex work, such as diversion courts, trafficking task forces, law enforcement assisted diversion and decriminalization. It also examines how sex workers navigate seldom-discussed social phenomena like gentrification, pregnancy, imperialism, and being subjects of research. Through dialogue, our authors reveal the complex reality of engaging in and regulating sex work in the United States and through American aid abroad.

About the Editors

Katie Hail-Jares is a post-doctoral researcher at Griffith Criminology Institute in South East Queensland, and national board member of the Sex Workers' Outreach Project. Her research has appeared in PLOS-ONE, Journal of Drug and Alcohol Dependency, Iowa Law Review, and other journals._

Corey S. Shdaimah is Associate Professor and Academic Coordinator of the dual degree MSW/JD program at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. She is the author or co-author of several books, including Change Research: A Case Study of Collaborative Methods for Social Workers and Advocates._

Chrysanthi S. Leon is Associate Professor of Sociology & Criminal Justice, Women & Gender Studies, and Legal Studies at the University of Delaware. She is the author of Sex Fiends, Perverts, and Pedophiles: Understanding Sex Crime Policy in America.