Conventional sex work research has tended to pathologize women in the sex industry by studying them as victims who lack the ability to make informed decisions about their lives and their work. Radical feminist research in particular has been successful in affecting public discourses, policy debates, and research agendas in this regard. While sex workers themselves contradict and critique conventional social science and radical feminist research, rarely are their voices heard and rarely have they been included in research processes. Given this context, it is not uncommon for sex workers to refuse to engage in research studies unless they are members of the research team. Action research philosophies and practices, therefore, are particularly relevant and important in supporting a growing wave of sex work research that has been endorsed, influenced, and supported by sex working communities. This article draws on my experiences conducting a research project with a Canadian sex workers' rights organization to demonstrate to how participatory research methods can work to build bridges, dismantle barriers, and establish new relationships of trust and support between feminists and sex workers. Ultimately, I argue in favor of the fundamental importance of action research moving from research on sex workers to research with sex workers.
This article looks at debates over human trafficking by considering the linkages between federal funding, media myths, and non-governmental organization (NGO) activities
Although injection drug use occurs inside Canadian federal prisons, the correctional service does not allow prisoners access to sterile injection equipment as a harm reduction measure. International evaluations have shown that prison-based needle and syringe programs (PNSPs) lead to many beneficial health and other outcomes, and contribute to safer environments for prisoners and staff. This article presents qualitative data from a community-driven study with 30 former prisoners in Ontario, Canada. Participants shared insights that are highly valuable for understanding the prison context in relation to the need for PNSPs, both in Canada and in other jurisdictions.
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