Nordic Network: Sex workers and social workers meet

Nordic Network for Social and Health Organisations, Sex Workers and Researchers Working in the Field of Prostitution is the full name of a group that holds annual meetings where social workers – and some sex workers – meet. Members come from Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Sweden and Finland. This year’s meeting is in Oslo, and I am invited to talk about the Rescue Industry. I am always glad when social workers want to hear about and discuss (or dispute!) this topic.

If you are interested in attending, details follow the programme.

31 May-1 June 2012

Organised by Prosentret (Tollbugata 24, 0157 Oslo)

Meeting held at Røde Kors Konferansesenter, Hausmannsgate 7, Oslo

Thursday 31 May – Social Work from Many Angles

1000-1045  May-Len Skilbrei, Researcher, FAFO
How can we understand the relationship between the criminal justice approach and social work?

1045-1100 Break

1100-1130 Jeanett Bjønness, Anthropologist
Between emotional politics and biased practices in Denmark: Prostitution policies, social work and women selling sexual services

1130-1150 Break

1150-1210 Sarah Warpe, Criminologist
There is no such thing as a support service: Experiences from Norwegian women involved with drugs and prostitution

1210-1230 Pye Jakobsson, Rose Alliance and Project Manager of HIV-Sweden
Exit – from what, why and how?

1230-1330 Lunch

1330-1400 Mogens Holm Sørensen, Socialstyrelsen København
Leaving Prostitution

1400-1430 Laura Agustín,  The Naked Anthropologist
Why do I call it the Rescue Industry?

1430-1445 Break

1445-1600 Plenary discussion

1700-2000 Boat trip

Friday 1 June – Manyfold Work

0900-0945 Olav Lægdene, Manager Nadheim
Advantages and disadvantages with the law prohibiting the purchase of sexual services

0945-1000 Break

1000-1045 Astrid Renland, Administrator PION and Susanne Møller, SIO Danmark
Possibilities and limitations in organizing of sex workers

1045-1100 Break

1100-1400 Workshops with lunch (1200-1245)

A Multicultural Health Work for Sex Workers: Nurses Ann Kirstine Kirk and Radostina Angelova, Pro Sentret
B Empowerment: How to shape and share a Shelter for the Future
Knut Isachsen and Dagfrid Fosen, Natthjemmet
C Outreach on the Internet:
Nurse Camilla Johannessen, Pro Sentret
Social worker Morten Sortodden, PION: Male Sex Workers
Social worker Lena Hanssen, Nadheim: Female Sex Workers
D The Connection between Trafficking and Migration? Director Bjørg Norli, Pro Sentret
E Workshop in Thai for Thai

1400-1500 Responses from the workshops

The conference fee is 1000 NOK (or 500 NOK for one day) including lunch. For more information: contact Liv Jessen or Arne Randers-Pehrson at Pro Sentret. The conference language will be English.

–Laura Agustín, the Naked Anthropologist

2 thoughts on “Nordic Network: Sex workers and social workers meet

  1. norskgoy

    It should be noted that Prosenteret is the target of the labour party womens wing. Last year, in may, they threatened with withdraw of financal support because [1];
    * Prosenter doesnt demand sexworkers to quit before they can apply for help (that is true that they dont require)
    *Prosenter uses lies by not telling that the law works (according to the womans wing in the labour party)
    *Prosenter works with groups that would want to legalize sexwork. (also true, but they also work with groups that want to restrict/ban)

    [1] Norwegian only; http://www.dagbladet.no/2011/05/05/nyheter/pro-senteret/arbeiderpartiet/prostitusjon/politikk/16401258/

    [2] Only in norwegian, of the old leader of prosenteret Liv Jessen.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXMvpStHdI0 (part 1)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYY4EXeoJWM (part 2)

    Reply
    1. laura agustin Post author

      The Nordic Network encompasses an array of opinions and approaches to prostitution and sex work. Some of those presenting at the Oslo meeting will say things that contradict what I and others say – and we all know it. These meetings are attempts to have people with sometimes bitterly different points of view in the same room together: not easy but worthwhile to some.

      Reply

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