On the 27th and 28th of July a conference called “Australian Summit Against Sexual Exploitation” (ASASE) is being held in Melbourne, Australia. Hosted by RMIT University it is billed as exposing the “seamless connection between sexual exploitation in the following areas: Pornography, Objectification in advertising, Sex Trafficking/Prostitution, Child Sexual Exploitation”.
The conference brings together speakers well known for whorephobic, transphobic, homophobic and Islamophobic views, as well as opponents of abortion rights, safe schools, marriage equality and surrogacy.
Speakers include:
Julie Bindel
Melinda Tankard Reist
Dr Rachel Carling-Jenkins
Caitlin Roper
Simone Watson
Supporting organisations are listed as – Bravehearts, Centre for Human Dignity, Children of Phoenix, Collective Shout, Destiny Rescue, Pink Cross Foundation Australia, Rahab, Spinifex Press, Salvos Cupcake Team, The JAM Network and Women’s Forum Australia.
Why Protest?
Sex workers, sex worker’s representative organisations around the world, human rights organisations and allies all call for the full decriminalisation of sex work for sex workers’ rights, health and safety – anti sex work groups (such as those represented at this conference) continue to call for the criminalisation of our work and attempt to silence our voices.
This conference includes speakers that oppose the rights and safety of many marginalised people – all people deserve to have our human rights recognised – join us in raising our concerns about this event!
Join us in protesting!
**Thinking of joining the online campaign? Do you have an anonymous Twitter/Facebook/Email account? Please consider your safety/anonymity in your protest activities**
Take action online:
Use the hashtags #RightsNotRescue and #sexwork
RMIT is on both Twitter and FaceBook
- Take action on Twitter by including the hashtags #RMIT and #RMITOpenDay
Include the Twitter handle @RMIT to Tweet directly at RMIT - Take action on RMIT’s FaceBook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/RMITuniversity/
Write to RMIT:
- You can write to RMIT to express concerns about the Conference to the University Vice-Chancellor, Martin Bean at:
- Email –
& Email to as well
Promote the online protest!
- Talk to other people you know that support the rights of marginalised people and encourage them to participate
- Spread the word on social media – Twitter, Facebook, everywhere – let people know to join the online protest
Will there be action/protest happening in Melbourne during the conference?
YES, a coalition of sex workers and trans people have organised a protest for Saturday the 28th of July, details here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/285614115321860/
Also, keep an eye on Vixen Collective’s Twitter
Twitter: @VixenCollective
And: @ASASEProtest on Twitter
Looking for info when arguing with anti’s or debunking their arguments?
Check out ‘A Pocket Guide to Dealing With Anti’s Online’
What to know about the history of RMIT hosting #hatespeech ?
The Sound of Silencing Sex Workers
“Pieces of meat” and Balance in Journalism