- Robyn Few
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 annualInternational 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.Cite news
issn = 0362-4331
last = Navarro
first = Mireya
title = Long Silent, Oldest Profession Gets Vocal and Organized
work = The New York Times
accessdate = 2008-03-24
date = 2004-12-18
url = http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/18/national/18prostitutes.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&sq=]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 themedical marijuana movement in California. She has worked as a prostitute since 1996. [ [http://www.swopusa.org/node/32 Robyn Few biography] , SWOP website. Retrieved 24 March 2008]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.Cite news
issn = 0362-4331
last = Marshall
first = Carolyn
title = Bid to Decriminalize Prostitution in Berkeley
work = The New York Times
accessdate = 2008-03-24
date = 2004-09-14
url = http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/14/national/14porn.html?scp=1&sq=%22Robyn+Few%22&st=nyt]She founded SWOP-USA in October 2003, [ [http://www.swopusa.org/node/31 History of SWOP] , SWOP website. Retrieved 24 March 2008] 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. [Cite web
last = Bender
first = Kristin
title = Measure on prostitution failing at polls
work = Oakland Tribune
accessdate = 2008-03-24
date = 2004-11-03
url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20041103/ai_n14587314] The initiative failed, receiving 37% of the vote. [Cite web
last = Oakley
first = Doug
title = Sex workers stage Berkeley 'die-in' Group protesting recent U.S., U.K. slayings of prostitutes
work = Oakland Tribune
accessdate = 2008-03-24
date = 2006-12-16
url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20061216/ai_n16900772]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". [Cite news
issn = 10474153
pages = A.1
last = Leavenworth
first = Jesse
title = Tricky Tactic: When Escorts Name Names; Sex Workers Applaud Exposure of D.C. 'Johns'
work = Hartford Courant
accessdate = 2008-03-24
date = 2007-05-02
url = http://proquest.umi.com.ezproxy.metrostate.edu/pqdweb?did=1263967281&Fmt=7&clientId=44275&RQT=309&VName=PQD]References
External links
* Short interview with Robyn Few at the International Conference on the Reduction of Drug Related Harms in Warsaw, 2007: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v24RSf2iNs part 1] , [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLMRR47bqaA part 2]
* [http://www.swopusa.org/ SWOP USA website]
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