Criminalisation of sex work pushes women into greater danger, forces us into unfamiliar places, and makes it easier for violent offenders to prey on us. We demand decriminalisation. No more lives should be lost because women's lives are worth less than enforcing unjust laws.

Niki Adams: "We want to see real change. Violent men target sex workers because they think they'll get away with it. We face saturation policing and no protection. We need decriminalisation so sex workers can report violence without fear of arrest or deportation."

Women in our network who worked in the same area as Ms Wilkins say she didn't have to die. A police operation at the time - "Clear, Hold, Build" - meant women were harassed, arrested, displaced from familiar areas, subjected to ASBOs and closure orders, and treated as criminals.

Sheryl Wilkins was murdered by Simon Levy—a man who had previously attacked women, had been convicted of violence against women, had been investigated in connection with the murder of Carmen Valencia Trujillo, and was nevertheless released on bail.

Justice for the victims of Simon Levy means more than a conviction. It must mean a change in the law so that sex workers' safety is prioritised over criminalisation.

Wonderful Mikey Madison gets #Oscars & uses occasion to help make sex workers stronger & more protected by recognizing & honoring our community; director Sean Baker calls for decriminalisation so we are safer & have rights like other workers. Thank you! bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly8…

Hope to see many of you on the 19th. If you have any questions, please get in touch, DM or email: [email protected]⁣ ⁣ Stay tuned for an update on the petition debate and next steps . . .

The Council meeting comes two days after International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, so we will also be remembering those we’ve lost to violence, and demanding an end to poverty and criminalisation which puts us in danger.

The more of us there, the more that councillors will see that sex workers’ rights & safety is an important issue to local residents that they can't ignore. Seating is available in the public gallery on a first-come-first-served basis

Please join us outside Hove Town Hall (Norton Road, BN3 3BQ) at 3:30pm for a group photo to show your support (bring a placard and/or red umbrellas if you can!).

Update & call to action: We passed the 1,250 signature mark on our petition demanding Brighton & Hove City Council prioritises sex workers’ safety! This means that the petition will be presented & debated at the next Full Council meeting on the 19th December from 4.30pm