Heather engaged in sex work over the years for all of the following reasons. This is her brief yet powerful story. On the one hand, many feel sex work is a victimless crime, only made dangerous as a result of its unregulated status and the fact that sex workers cannot turn to authorities for help when exposed to violence or other criminal acts. Others feel that the sex workers themselves are often the victims, and point to human trafficking, slavery, and violence against sex workers as proof of that point.
Regardless of which side of the debate one takes, people engage in sex work for a variety of reasons. Some do so consensually and enjoy the work and see it as an actual job and service they provide. Others may do it because of their circumstances; the need for food, shelter, or to support a substance use disorder. And still others are coerced, manipulated, or forced into sex acts against their will (trafficking). Heather engaged in sex work over the years for all three reasons. This is her brief yet powerful story.

A note about FOSTA/SESTA (Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act and Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act): Passed in 2018, FOSTA-SESTA has transformed the lives of sex workers across the country, and intensified a long-running debate over how we deal with an underground economy that runs the gamut from voluntary sex work (aka prostitution) to involuntary sex trafficking.

A few days after Backpage (and other such websites) was shut down by US federal authorities in April 2018, Public Law 115-164, better known as FOSTA-SESTA, became US law. Its stated goal was to reduce human trafficking by amending Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and holding Internet platforms accountable for the content their users post. What the law has actually done is put increased pressure on Internet platforms to censor their users. While the law has been lauded by its supporters, the communities that it directly impacts claim that it has increased their exposure to violence and left those who rely on sex work as their primary form of income without many of the tools they had used to keep themselves safe.

The impact of FOSTA/SESTA on sex workers were plentiful. FOSTA/SESTA decreased sex workers’ financial security and stability by limiting their ability to advertise — all while increasing sex workers’ exposure to violence.

Additionally, some digital security practices, such as client e-verification tools and “bad date lists” of dangerous clients, were taken down after the bill passed. This created several health and safety concerns as these tools were essential for screening and networking with others.

The internet provides a space for sex workers to share resources amongst one another, build community with each other, advertise their services, share online digital security methods, and engage in sex workers rights activism.

But the vagueness of FOSTA/SESTA has created fear and paranoia surrounding the consequences of one’s online presence. Many sex workers have lost social media accounts, bank accounts, or access to online payment platforms unexpectedly.

These bills have cost tax-payers millions of dollars to enforce and it hasn’t made any positive impact toward reducing trafficking and sexual exploitation. In fact, there’s a growing body of evidence that it is doing the exact opposite, increasing vulnerability and harm to those who are at risk for being trafficked.

This is the first of many conversations about criminal justice reform. In this episode we talk with friend and colleague, Harmony Goorley, MA, LCPC, CCHP regarding her work as a Correctional Consultant working to bring reform in jails and prisons around the country.

Maya Angelou once said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” We must do better. We must do better for those that have been relegated to the fringes of society.

If you enjoyed this podcast or want to support our work, you can do that in a couple of different ways…

Like and Follow us on Facebook at JOLT Harm Reduction Peoria. You can also support us by subscribing to our podcast on whatever podcast streaming service you use. Lastly, you can support the work we do by giving financially. Our work is largely underfunded and every little bit helps. You can give today by going to JOLTFoundation.org and clicking on the donate button at the top of the page.

Thanks for listening and remember, NO ONE IS DISPOSABLE!

Stigma surrounds individuals who are engaged in the "world's oldest profession". Sex workers from around the globe are regular victims of sexual and physical assault yet often do not have legal protections from such harms.

This is one woman's story of growing up in a sex trafficking ring and the trauma that impacted her and her future. This is a story of heartbreak and systemic failure but it is also a story of hope and resilience.

Maya Angelou once said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” We must do better. We must do better for those that have been relegated to the fringes of society.

If you enjoyed this podcast or want to support our work, you can do that in a couple of different ways…

Like and Follow us on Facebook at JOLT Harm Reduction Peoria. You can also support us by subscribing to our podcast on whatever podcast streaming service you use. Lastly, you can support the work we do by giving financially. Our work is largely underfunded and every little bit helps. You can give today by going to JOLTFoundation.org and clicking on the donate button at the top of the page.

Thanks for listening and remember, NO ONE IS DISPOSABLE!

Meth is making a huge comeback across the country. As all eyes are on heroin and fentanyl, this powerful substance has come back with a vengeance.

This is the story of one man's journey from a normal childhood, to a substance use disorder, to meth cook, to prison, and back to life again. Anthony's story is a story of criminal behavior that nearly destroyed a family and his struggle to rebuild his life on the other side of prison. This is a story of hope and resilience and can serve as an inspiration to anyone wondering if they can ever recover from a life of crime and addiction.

Maya Angelou once said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” We must do better. We must do better for those that have been relegated to the fringes of society.

If you enjoyed this podcast or want to support our work, you can do that in a couple of different ways…

Like and Follow us on Facebook at JOLT Harm Reduction Peoria. You can also support us by subscribing to our podcast on whatever podcast streaming service you use. Lastly, you can support the work we do by giving financially. Our work is largely underfunded and every little bit helps. You can give today by going to JOLTFoundation.org and clicking on the donate button at the top of the page.

Thanks for listening and remember, NO ONE IS DISPOSABLE!

Bryce Foster is one of those unique people you can't ever forget and he's quickly become one of my closest friends and we are partners in crime doing harm reduction work in the midst of an opioid pandemic. His story is inspiring and hysterical. He's a pretty smart and a lot irreverent. Also, he's tried it all and eventually discovered a path that works for him. Listen in while he shares his story. You just might learn something.

Maya Angelou once said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” We must do better. We must do better for those that have been relegated to the fringes of society.

If you enjoyed this podcast or want to support our work, you can do that in a couple of different ways…

Like and Follow us on Facebook at JOLT Harm Reduction Peoria. You can also support us by subscribing to our podcast on whatever podcast streaming service you use. Lastly, you can support the work we do by giving financially. Our work is largely underfunded and every little bit helps. You can give today by going to JOLTFoundation.org and clicking on the donate button at the top of the page.

Thanks for listening and remember, NO ONE IS DISPOSABLE!

We are at the 2018 Harm Reduction Conference in New Orleans. Between the awesome workshops and stuffing beignets into our mouths, we sat down with four beautiful, badass, love warriors from the harm reduction field. We talked about LGBTQIA+ youth, homelessness and housing, serious mental illness homeless outreach and jumping fences to love on the most marginalized. We can't wait for you to listen.

Our merry band of ragamuffins includes:

Loren Phillips: Outreach Worker with a large mental health organization in Chicago

Christopher Powers: Psychotherapist and harm reduction counselor in San Francisco

Kimber Brightheart, LCSW: Independent contractor at the Midwest Harm Reduction Institute, founder of Queerplay, and harm reduction therapist in private practice

Valery Shuman, ATR-BC, LCPC: Senior Director at Heartland Alliance Health, Heartland Center for Systems Change, and Midwest Harm Reduction Institute

And me, Chris Schaffner: Founder of Conversations on the Fringe, DOPP Grant Coordinator, JOLT Harm Reduction Center Program Manager

Maya Angelou once said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” We must do better. We must do better for those that have been relegated to the fringes of society.

If you enjoyed this podcast or want to support our work, you can do that in a couple of different ways…

Like and Follow us on Facebook at JOLT Harm Reduction Peoria. You can also support us by subscribing to our podcast on whatever podcast streaming service you use. Lastly, you can support the work we do by giving financially. Our work is largely underfunded and every little bit helps. You can give today by going to JOLTFoundation.org and clicking on the donate button at the top of the page.

Thanks for listening and remember, NO ONE IS DISPOSABLE!

An interview with Melissa Dessert, LCPC, who has extensive experience working to combat the impact of rape culture on college campuses. Melissa has been helping victims of sexual assault since the late 80s and is a local expert on trauma. Also in this podcast is Trudy Schaffner, a social worker and mother of 3 teenage girls. Both lend their vast knowledge and experience to this really difficult and complex issue.

Maya Angelou once said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” We must do better. We must do better for those that have been relegated to the fringes of society.

If you enjoyed this podcast or want to support our work, you can do that in a couple of different ways…

Like and Follow us on Facebook at JOLT Harm Reduction Peoria. You can also support us by subscribing to our podcast on whatever podcast streaming service you use. Lastly, you can support the work we do by giving financially. Our work is largely underfunded and every little bit helps. You can give today by going to JOLTFoundation.org and clicking on the donate button at the top of the page.

Thanks for listening and remember, NO ONE IS DISPOSABLE!

There are staggering disparities among Black and Latinx people imprisoned in the United States given their overall representation in the general population. The latest available data regarding people sentenced to state prison reveal that Black Americans are imprisoned at a rate that is roughly five times the rate of white Americans. During the present era of criminal justice reform, not enough emphasis has been focused on ending racial and ethnic disparities systemwide.

Going to prison is a major life-altering (traumatic) event that creates obstacles to building stable lives in the community, such as gaining employment and finding stable and safe housing after release. Imprisonment also reduces lifetime earnings and negatively affects life outcomes among children of incarcerated parents. These are individual-level consequences of imprisonment but there are societal level consequences as well: high levels of imprisonment in communities cause high crime rates and neighborhood deterioration, thus fueling greater disparities. This cycle both individually and societally is felt disproportionately by people who are Black. It is clear that the outcome of mass incarceration today has not occurred by happenstance but has been designed through policies created by a dominant white culture that insists on suppression of others.

The Sentencing Project: The Color of Justice: Racial and Ethnic Disparity in State Prisons This is the story of one such man who experienced years of incarceration. We encountered him during the last few years of his life but the impact of being a Black man who experienced incarceration for much of his life was obvious. Slim, whether because of internalized stigma or stigma and racism from our culture, was never able to get his footing. Instead, he made the best of a horrible situation and welcomed people into his life with a generous spirit.

This is just a small part of his story.

Maya Angelou once said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” We must do better. We must do better for those that have been relegated to the fringes of society.

If you enjoyed this podcast or want to support our work, you can do that in a couple of different ways…

Like and Follow us on Facebook at JOLT Harm Reduction Peoria. You can also support us by subscribing to our podcast on whatever podcast streaming service you use. Lastly, you can support the work we do by giving financially. Our work is largely underfunded and every little bit helps. You can give today by going to JOLTFoundation.org and clicking on the donate button at the top of the page.

Thanks for listening and remember, NO ONE IS DISPOSABLE!