Robyn Few

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Robyn Few (born c. 1958) is an American sex worker rights activist working for the decriminalization of prostitution, against violence targeted at sex workers, and generally for the improvement of sex workers' working conditions. A former prostitute, she founded and directs the Sex Workers Outreach Project USA (SWOP-USA) and helped organize the annual International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.

She advocates the complete removal of prostitution from criminal codes and disapproves of a legalization model as in Nevada.[1]

According to her biography on SWOP's website, she had worked as an exotic dancer, then pursued a college degree in theater, and was active in the medical marijuana movement in California. She has worked as a prostitute since 1996.[2]

In June 2002 she was arrested by an F.B.I. SWAT team. She pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to promote prostitution in December 2002 and received a sentence of 6 months house arrest and three years probation in November 2003.[3]

She founded SWOP-USA in October 2003,[4] and the first International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers was organized in December of that year.

In 2004 she designed a ballot initiative in Berkeley, California ("Measure Q") that would have called for the city government to lobby for the decriminalization of prostitution at the state level, and would have instructed city police to cease sting operations and treat prostitution arrests with the lowest priority.[5] The initiative failed, receiving 37% of the vote.[6]

In an interview in 2007, she defended the decision of prosecuted "D.C. Madam" Deborah Jeane Palfrey to name high class clients of her erotic service, arguing that "with the potential to drag many power brokers into the spotlight, Palfrey's revelations could serve as a turning point in the effort to decriminalize prostitution".[7]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Navarro, Mireya. "Long Silent, Oldest Profession Gets Vocal and Organized", The New York Times, 2004-12-18. Retrieved on 2008-03-24. 
  2. ^ Robyn Few biography, SWOP website. Retrieved 24 March 2008
  3. ^ Marshall, Carolyn. "Bid to Decriminalize Prostitution in Berkeley", The New York Times, 2004-09-14. Retrieved on 2008-03-24. 
  4. ^ History of SWOP, SWOP website. Retrieved 24 March 2008
  5. ^ Bender, Kristin (2004-11-03). Measure on prostitution failing at polls. Oakland Tribune. Retrieved on 2008-03-24.
  6. ^ Oakley, Doug (2006-12-16). Sex workers stage Berkeley 'die-in' Group protesting recent U.S., U.K. slayings of prostitutes. Oakland Tribune. Retrieved on 2008-03-24.
  7. ^ Leavenworth, Jesse. "Tricky Tactic: When Escorts Name Names; Sex Workers Applaud Exposure of D.C. 'Johns'", Hartford Courant, 2007-05-02, pp. A.1. Retrieved on 2008-03-24. 

[edit] External links

  • Short interview with Robyn Few at the International Conference on the Reduction of Drug Related Harms in Warsaw, 2007: part 1, part 2
  • SWOP USA website